Clyde Tombaugh

Clyde Tombaugh
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Name	Clyde Tombaugh
Birth date	February 4, 1906
Birth place	Streator, Illinois
Death date	January 17, 1997
Death place	Las Cruces, New Mexico
Nationality	American
Fields	Astronomy
Institutions	Lowell Observatory, New Mexico State University

Clyde Tombaugh was an American astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of astronomy, particularly in the discovery of dwarf planets and asteroids. Born in Streator, Illinois, Tombaugh developed an interest in astronomy at a young age, inspired by the works of Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton. He was largely self-taught in astronomy, but later attended Kansas State University and University of Kansas, where he studied physics and mathematics under the guidance of Arthur H. Compton and Robert A. Millikan. Tombaugh's early life was also influenced by the Great Depression, which affected his family and led him to work on his family's farm in Kansas.

● Early Life and Education

Tombaugh's interest in astronomy was sparked by the Halley's Comet appearance in 1910, which he observed with his father's telescope. He began building his own telescopes and observing the night sky, recording his observations and making detailed drawings of Mars and Jupiter. Tombaugh's education was also influenced by the Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg, where he took courses in physics and mathematics. He was also an avid reader of astronomy books, including those by William H. Pickering and Percival Lowell, and was fascinated by the search for Planet X, a hypothetical planet predicted by Urbain Le Verrier and John Couch Adams.

● Career

Tombaugh's career in astronomy began at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he worked under the direction of Vesto Slipher and Earl C. Slipher. He was tasked with searching for Planet X, using a 13-inch astrograph telescope to photograph the night sky and search for any unusual objects. Tombaugh also worked with Henry Norris Russell and Harlow Shapley to develop new techniques for astronomical photography and spectroscopy. During his time at Lowell Observatory, Tombaugh discovered several asteroids, including 2839 Annette and 2941 Alden, and made observations of comets, including Comet Encke and Comet Halley.

● Discovery of Pluto

On February 18, 1930, Tombaugh discovered Pluto, which was initially thought to be the ninth planet in the solar system. The discovery was announced by the Lowell Observatory on March 13, 1930, and was widely reported in the media, including The New York Times and The Times of London. Tombaugh's discovery of Pluto was confirmed by astronomers at the Harvard College Observatory and the Yerkes Observatory, and was later recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The discovery of Pluto also led to a renewed interest in the search for other planets in the outer solar system, including the discovery of Eris and Haumea by Michael E. Brown and Chad Trujillo.

● Later Life and Work

After his discovery of Pluto, Tombaugh continued to work at the Lowell Observatory, making observations of comets and asteroids and developing new techniques for astronomical photography. He also worked with the United States Army during World War II, using his skills in astronomy to develop new techniques for navigation and ballistics. Tombaugh later moved to New Mexico State University, where he taught astronomy and physics and continued to make observations of the night sky. He also worked with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on several projects, including the Apollo program and the Voyager program.

● Legacy

Tombaugh's discovery of Pluto has had a lasting impact on the field of astronomy, leading to a greater understanding of the outer solar system and the discovery of other dwarf planets. He was recognized for his contributions to astronomy with the Jackson-Gwilt Medal from the Royal Astronomical Society and the Rittenhouse Medal from the Rittenhouse Astronomical Society. Tombaugh's legacy also extends to the New Mexico Museum of Space History, which is dedicated to the history of space exploration and features exhibits on Pluto and the search for Planet X. His work has also inspired generations of astronomers, including Carl Sagan and Neil deGrasse Tyson, who have continued to explore the universe and push the boundaries of human knowledge. Category:Astronomers