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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

24 comments:

  1. A nice piece of history, Mitch!

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    1. 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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    2. Ok, I'll give it a try.

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  2. Interesting and nice photo. Did not know this info.

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

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

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  6. How nice they well kept this building.

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

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

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

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

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

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