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Pluto and Lowell Observatory: A Cosmic Odyssey

Paulo Coelho

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In the vast expanse of the cosmos, beyond the familiar planets of our solar system, lies a celestial realm that has captivated human imagination for centuries. This is the realm of Pluto, the enigmatic dwarf planet that was once considered the ninth planet from the Sun.

Nestled in the high desert of northern Arizona, Lowell Observatory played a pivotal role in the discovery of Pluto. It was here, in 1930, that Clyde Tombaugh, a young astronomer, made history by observing the faint, distant object that would forever change our understanding of the solar system.

Pluto and Lowell Observatory: A History of Discovery at Flagstaff (Landmarks)

by Kevin Schindler

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Language	:	English
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But the story of Pluto and Lowell Observatory begins long before Tombaugh's groundbreaking discovery. In the late 19th century, Percival Lowell, a wealthy Bostonian with a passion for astronomy, founded Lowell Observatory with the ambitious goal of searching for a ninth planet beyond Neptune.

Lowell, a man of extraordinary vision and determination, spent years meticulously studying the night sky, convinced that a yet-undiscovered planet was lurking in the outer reaches of the solar system. He believed that this planet, which he called Planet X, was responsible for certain irregularities in the orbits of Uranus and Neptune.

After Lowell's untimely death in 1916, the search for Planet X continued at Lowell Observatory under the leadership of Vesto Slipher. In 1929, Slipher hired Clyde Tombaugh, a young and ambitious astronomer, to join the search.

Tombaugh spent countless hours meticulously scanning photographic plates of the night sky, comparing them to previous exposures in search of any moving objects. On February 18, 1930, his persistence paid off. On one of the plates, he noticed a faint, moving object that had not been there before.

Tombaugh had discovered Pluto, the ninth planet from the Sun. The news of this groundbreaking discovery sent shockwaves throughout the world, making Tombaugh an instant celebrity and solidifying Lowell Observatory's place in the annals of astronomy.

Pluto remained the ninth planet from the Sun for 76 years, until the International Astronomical Union (IAU) reclassified it as a dwarf planet in 2006. This decision sparked a heated debate among astronomers, with many arguing that Pluto met all the criteria of a planet.

Regardless of its classification, Pluto continues to fascinate scientists and the public alike. In 2015, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft made a historic flyby of Pluto, providing us with the first close-up images of the dwarf planet. These images revealed a complex and beautiful world with a rich geological history.

Today, Lowell Observatory remains a thriving center for astronomical research and education. Visitors from around the world can explore the observatory's historic telescopes, including the one that Tombaugh used to discover Pluto, and learn about the fascinating history of this iconic celestial body.

The story of Pluto and Lowell Observatory is a testament to the power of human curiosity and determination. It is a story that inspires us to look up at the stars and wonder about the vastness and mystery of the universe.