Clyde Tombaugh's name is synonymous with the discovery of Pluto, but his journey to becoming a renowned astronomer is a story of perseverance and passion. Born in Streator, Illinois, in 1906, Tombaugh's early life was marked by a deep interest in the stars, nurtured by his family and circumstances. His path from a farm in Kansas to the Lowell Observatory in Arizona is a testament to his dedication and ingenuity.
Early Influences and Challenges
Clyde Tombaugh's fascination with astronomy
began at a young age, influenced by his uncle Lee, an amateur astronomer. His uncle's telescope and astronomy books sparked a curiosity that would define Tombaugh's life. However, financial hardships due to poor harvests forced the Tombaugh family to move to Kansas, where Clyde had to temporarily leave high school to help on the farm. Despite these challenges, he graduated in 1925, determined to pursue his passion for astronomy.
Tombaugh's plans for college were thwarted by a hailstorm that destroyed the family's crops in 1928. Undeterred, he built his own telescopes from spare parts, grinding lenses by hand. His skill and determination were evident in the detailed sketches of Jupiter and Mars he sent to the Lowell Observatory, which impressed the director and led to a job offer.
The Lowell Observatory and the Discovery of Pluto
In 1929, Tombaugh began working at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. His task was to search for a trans-Neptunian planet, predicted by Percival Lowell. Using a 13-inch astrograph, Tombaugh took photographs of the night sky, comparing them with a blink comparator to identify moving objects. On February 18, 1930, he discovered Pluto, a monumental achievement that catapulted him to international fame.
Tombaugh's discovery was initially celebrated as the ninth planet in the solar system, although later research revealed Pluto's status as a dwarf planet. Despite this, Tombaugh's work laid the foundation for understanding the Kuiper belt, a region of icy bodies beyond Neptune.
Academic Pursuits and Later Life
Following his discovery, Tombaugh pursued higher education, earning degrees in astronomy from the University of Kansas. He continued his research at Lowell Observatory until 1945, contributing to the cataloging of asteroids, star clusters, and galaxies. Later, he taught astronomy at universities in Arizona and New Mexico, sharing his knowledge and passion with students.
Even after retiring in 1973, Tombaugh remained active in the field, constructing telescopes and advocating for the study of unidentified flying objects. His legacy is not only in the celestial bodies he discovered but also in the inspiration he provided to future generations of astronomers.
