August 6, 2024

US Geological Survey names Lunar Crater after Pasang Lhamu Sherpa

The US Geological Survey (USGS), America’s largest water, earth, and biological science, and civilian mapping agency has named a crater at the Moon’s South Pole after Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to summit Mt. Everest. “Pasang Lhamu Sherpa was the first Nepalese woman to summit Everest and now has a crater named for her on the summit of an important lunar South Pole mountain,” the USGS announced.

This announcement followed the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) approval of the name ‘Lhamu Crater’ on July 29. The IAU is the globally recognized authority for naming celestial bodies and their surface features.

pasang lhamu sherpa

“On behalf of the Pasang Lhamu Sherpa family, we would like to thank the USGS/IAU for naming a crater ‘Lhamu’ on the Moon’s South Pole,” said Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa, Pasang Lhamu’s husband.

Pasang Lhamu made mountaineering history on April 22, 1993, as the first Nepalese woman to successfully scale the world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest. Unfortunately, she died during the descent near the south summit due to bad weather.

In Nepal, Pasang Lhamu is celebrated as a National Luminary. The government has named Jasamba Mountain (7,315m) in the Mahalangur Range as Pasang Lhamu Mountain and dedicated the 117 km-long highway from Trishuli to Dhunche as Pasang Lhamu Highway. Additionally, postage stamps have been issued in her honor.