One notable African American astronomer in history is Dr. George R. Carruthers. Dr. Carruthers is an astrophysicist and inventor known for his work in ultraviolet astronomy. He is best known for his invention of the far ultraviolet camera/spectograph, which was used on the Apollo 16 mission to the moon in 1972. This invention allowed scientists to capture images of Earth's atmosphere and also study outer space from a unique perspective.

Dr. Carruthers has received numerous awards for his contributions to the field of astronomy, including the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. He has also been a strong advocate for increasing diversity in the field of astronomy and encouraging more young African Americans to pursue careers in STEM fields.