[meteorite-list] In Memoriam: Michel Festou (1945-2005)

[Ron Baalke]

IN MEMORIAM:  MICHEL FESTOU (1945-2005)

Michel Festou, Director of Research at the Astrophysics Laboratory of 
Toulouse-Tarbes, at Midi-Pyrenees Observatory (France), died May 11 
at the age of 60 after a recent diagnosis of stomach cancer. 
Festou was a widely recognized expert in the study of comets, with 
particular interest in their chemical properties as determined 
through measurements of their ultraviolet radiation.   He received his
Ph.D. from the University of Paris VI in 1978 under the direction of 
Jacques Blamont.  In his thesis, he developed his "vectorial model" 
which describes the kinematics of gases in the cometary comae, and 
which has become a standard for interpreting coma emissions from many 
atomic and molecular species.  Typical of Michel's generosity, he 
freely gave away copies of his modeling program to anyone who asked 
and patiently helped them learn how to use it.  He played a major 
role in an observational campaign of comets performed with the 
International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite over a period of 
18 years.  Festou's continuing cometary interest and expertise led 
him to become a co-investigator for the ultraviolet spectrograph 
aboard the Rosetta mission.  In his final years and months, Michel 
was the principal editor and architect for the book Comets II, with 
the goal of setting the foundation for cometary science during the 
next decade.  Michel often remarked that he wanted this book to be 
his gift to the world of planetary science, but little did we know it 
would be the last of his many gifts to our field.  We have lost a 
great man and a good friend.  He will be sorely missed.  Messages to 
the family may be sent to Michel's son:  Dr. Nicolas FESTOU, 9 av 
Edouard Droz, 25000 BESANCON, FRANCE.