Pluto's Demotion Rocks Flagstaff - Home of the Planet's Discovery

Did you know that Pluto was named after Percival Lowell, an astronomer who spent years studying the Planet Mars? But, perhaps his greatest contribution to planetary studies came during the last 13 years of his life, when he devoted much of his time to a quest for a theoretical ninth planet. The search continued after his death in 1916 and led to the discovery of Pluto by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930. Tombaugh's widow, living in New Mexico, reportedly is "shook up" over the news.

Pluto, in Greek mythology, is the god of the underworld -- a perfect name considering planet Pluto dwells at the outermost reaches of the solar system. The ninth planet's astronomical symbol became PL, the first two initials of the name Pluto, but also Percival Lowell's initials. So now with the news that the International Astronomical Union has demoted Pluto to the status of a non-planet, I wonder if Percival Lowell is rolling over in his unusual mausoleum, high upon Mars Hill in Flagstaff, Arizona. What would he think of the demise of his namesake? Now would be an ideal time for a visit to Lowell Observatory. I am sure they have plenty to say on the subject.

Photo: Mausoleum of Percival Lowell. Copyright: Elizabeth R. Mitchell