Clyde Tombaugh Discovers Pluto
Clyde Tombaugh, an American astronomer, made a groundbreaking discovery while examining photographs taken in January. Working at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, he was searching for a ninth planet beyond Neptune. His meticulous analysis of photographic plates ultimately led to the identification of a new celestial body, which would later be named Pluto, marking a significant milestone in astronomy.
Clyde Tombaugh worked at Lowell Observatory.
Discovery confirmed a ninth planet in the solar system.
Pluto was named after the Roman god of the underworld.
Techniques used were groundbreaking for the 1930s.
What Happened?
In the early 20th century, astronomers were captivated by the possibility of a ninth planet beyond Neptune, which was believed to exert gravitational influence on the orbits of known planets. Clyde Tombaugh, a young astronomer at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, took on the mission to find this elusive planet. Using a technique called 'comparative astrophotography', Tombaugh carefully compared multiple photographic plates taken of the night sky to spot any moving objects against the stationary stars. His labor-intensive efforts began in January 1930, reviewing photographs taken during an earlier survey. After several weeks of meticulous work, Tombaugh observed a faint object that had shifted position relative to the stars, confirming its movement and gravitational pull. This landmark discovery was officially announced on March 13, 1930, and the new planet was named Pluto, after the Roman god of the underworld, coincidentally reflecting the initials of Percival Lowell, the observatory’s founder and the initial proponent of the search for the ninth planet.
Why Does it Matter?
The discovery of Pluto was a watershed moment in the field of astronomy, expanding our understanding of the solar system. It validated the techniques of photographic astronomy and stimulated interest in the search for further celestial bodies beyond Neptune. Over time, Pluto's classification would evolve, leading to essential discussions about what defines a planet and the complexities involved in categorizing celestial objects. This discovery ignited curiosity about the outer solar system, ultimately leading to subsequent exploratory missions that have greatly enhanced our knowledge of these distant worlds.