Merri Sue Carter
Merri Sue Carter (born 1964) is an American astronomer who works at the United States Naval Observatory. She directs the World Data Center for the Rotation of the Earth in Washington, a facility that coordinates data for the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service. She also writes books about the history of astronomy with her father, geodesist William E. Carter.
Carter was born on November 16, 1964, in Columbus, Ohio, where her father studied geodesy at Ohio State University. He later worked as a research geodesist for the U.S. Air Force, the University of Hawaii, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the family moved often as she grew up.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1986 and a master’s degree in 1999 from University of Maryland University College. She has worked at the United States Naval Observatory since 1986.
With her father, Carter is the author of books on the history of astronomy.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 17:48 (CET).