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Wednesday, 15 May 2013

Creative Challenge #251 ~ Searching

Working as a researcher at the Lowell Observatory, in Flagstaff, Arizona,  young Clyde Tombaugh was given the task of doing a systematic sky search for 'Planet X', as predicted by the calculations of Percival Lowell and William Pickering. Searching the night skies using the telescope housed within this building, Tombaugh finally found what he was looking for on February 18, 1930. The planet was named PLUTO.
Tombaugh 2
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24 comments:

  1. Anonymous15 May 2013 at 18:00

    A nice piece of history, Mitch!

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    1. MitchyLR15 May 2013 at 18:03

      Thanks Linda :-))

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    2. Anonymous15 May 2013 at 19:06

      Should you have time, in the near future...would you please see if you can now leave comments on my page? TY

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    3. MitchyLR15 May 2013 at 23:58

      Ok, I'll give it a try.

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  2. Unknown15 May 2013 at 18:12

    Interesting and nice photo. Did not know this info.

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    1. MitchyLR15 May 2013 at 18:40

      Hi Lynda. Glad you found it interesting :-))

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  3. Danette 15 May 2013 at 20:13

    I was just talking to my brother about planet X two weeks ago LOL
    this a a great photo of the searcher's search palace :)

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  4. benni 16 May 2013 at 00:00

    That was very interesting and, of course, a great picture to go along with. I am told that many discoveries have been made by "amateur" or neophyte astronomers, but I didn't know about Pluto.

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    1. MitchyLR16 May 2013 at 07:51

      Thanks Benni :-)) The role of the amateur has always been important in astronomy. Whereas the big professional observatories concentrate on particular areas of study, amateurs look at a wider area. Many comets and asteroids are discovered by amateur astronomers.

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  5. Belita Isabel Janeira16 May 2013 at 00:34

    Thanks for giving me the chance to learn something I didn't know... Excellent picture of this interesting structure...

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  6. Sofia16 May 2013 at 01:26

    How nice they well kept this building.

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    1. MitchyLR16 May 2013 at 07:53

      Hi Sophie. It is still part of the Lowell Observatory, although no longer used for observation.

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  7. Dim Lamp16 May 2013 at 15:03

    Interesting entry.

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  8. Tim .. Another MP Refugee16 May 2013 at 22:51

    It is interesting how our language evolves. Since Pluto is no longer officially a planet, a new word had entered the lexicon. If a person has been demoted it is said he was "Plutoed."

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    1. MitchyLR17 May 2013 at 00:08

      I guess it wouldn't be very PC to call them a dwarf though ;-))

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  9. Pat Gerber-Relf17 May 2013 at 07:28

    I knew that Planet Pluto was the last to be discovered in 1930, thanks to reading the book by patrick Moore. A very good and interesting entry.

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  10. Barry17 May 2013 at 08:22

    I love it mate a very cool take on the theme;)

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    1. MitchyLR17 May 2013 at 18:10

      Thanks Baz :-)) I knew you'd like this one!!

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  11. Forgetmenot52530 May 2013 at 23:45

    what a very nice little building, as well as an interseting piece of history.

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