A crater on the Moon has officially been named in honor of Steve Jobs, the legendary co-founder of Apple Inc. This celestial tribute is set to coincide with what would have been Jobs’ 70th birthday on February 24, 2025. It’s a fitting homage to a man who forever changed the way we interact with technology, art, and even each other.
Crater Steven Paul Jobs measures about 28.5 kilometers in diameter, and is located in the Moon’s Street-Maginus region at Latitude -48.355 Longitude -12.223. It was previously designated as Crater Street H by the International Astronomical Union, one of eighteen Lunar craters named by IAU for the Irish astronomer Thomas Street (1621–1689).
(February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011)
Steve Jobs was not just an innovator; he was a cultural icon. Born in San Francisco in 1955 and adopted shortly after birth, Jobs’ journey was anything but conventional. He dropped out of Reed College after just one semester, yet his curiosity and passion for learning remained boundless. He often credited a calligraphy class he audited after leaving school as the inspiration behind the beautifully designed fonts that became a hallmark of Apple products.
In 1976, Jobs, along with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, founded Apple in a garage in Los Altos, California. Their goal? To make computers accessible to everyday people. Jobs’ relentless pursuit of perfection and his belief in the marriage of technology and design led to the creation of groundbreaking products like the Apple II, the first personal computer to achieve mass-market success.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. In 1985, Jobs was famously ousted from Apple after a power struggle with the board of directors. Undeterred, he went on to found NeXT, a company focused on high-end computing, and acquired Pixar Animation Studios. Under his leadership, Pixar transformed into a powerhouse of creativity, producing iconic films like Toy Story and Finding Nemo.
Jobs’ return to Apple in 1997 marked the beginning of a golden era for the company. Over the next decade, he oversaw the launch of products that would redefine entire industries: the iPod, which revolutionized music; the iPhone, which reshaped how we communicate; and the iPad, which bridged the gap between laptops and smartphones. These innovations didn’t just sell millions of units—they changed the way people live.
Beyond technology, Jobs was a master storyteller. His speeches at Apple events, often referred to as “Steve Jobs keynotes,” were events in themselves. Whether unveiling a new product or describing a vision of the future, Jobs captivated audiences with his charisma and ability to make complex ideas seem simple and exciting.
Jobs’ personal life was as multifaceted as his career. A husband and father of four, he valued privacy but often spoke candidly about his influences and philosophies. A devotee of Zen Buddhism, Jobs credited meditation with shaping his minimalist aesthetic and focus on detail. His famous motto, “Stay hungry, stay foolish,” encapsulated his belief in pushing boundaries and embracing the unconventional.
In the final years of his life, Jobs battled pancreatic cancer with the same determination he brought to his work. Despite his illness, he remained deeply involved in Apple’s operations, overseeing the development of the iPhone 4S and laying the groundwork for future projects. His passing in October 2011 marked the end of an era, but his influence continues to ripple through industries worldwide.
By naming a crater on the Moon after Steve Jobs, we not only celebrate his contributions to technology and design but also honor his enduring legacy as a dreamer who dared to think differently. Every time we gaze at the Moon, we’ll be reminded of the man who taught us to believe in the power of innovation—and to reach for the stars.
Data Set: Crater Steve Jobs
| Eponym: | Steven Paul Jobs |
| Short Name: | (3390) Steve Jobs |
| Previous IAU Designation: | Street H |
| Location: | Street-Maginus |
| Latitude (° North-South): | -48.354684 |
| Longitude (° East-West): | -12.223436 |
| Diameter (Kilometers): | 28.526 |
| Crater Catalog ID: | S004017N07629R02165H01909Y2010S |
| Approval Date: | 24 February 2025 |
| Lunar QuickMap URL: | bit.ly/4iUxL2t |
Steve Jobs portrait courtesy of Apple Inc.
Crater Jobs Photomap prepared by the International Lunar Geographic Society (LunarGeo) using ACT Lunar/LROC QuickMap API.
