We visited the Lowell Observatory before, probably at least ten years ago. We stayed in hotel in Flagstaff and Lowell was one of the places we explored. After parking, we were greeted by this colorful creature (I think it is a mountain lion, as the shape reminds me of the mountain lion we saw last month in Gila, NM).
This time, we went into the visitor center and started with the Lowell Tour. "Explore Lowell Observatory’s past and present research efforts during this 45-minute guided walking tour of the historical campus. This tour includes a stop at the renowned 24” Clark Refracting Telescope, built in 1896 and still in use today." The tour leader spent about 15 minutes in the auditorium telling us about Percival Lowell and his family. Among other things, his sister Amy was a Pulitzer Prize winning poet and his younger brother Abbot went on to become President of Harvard University. Here is a short bio about Percival Lowell, 1855 - 1916, copied from the observatory's website:
Percival Lowell was a mathematician, businessman, travel writer, and astronomer. The Lowell observatory in Arizona was the first permanent observatory built solely for its viewing conditions: high altitude to minimize atmospheric distortion, minimal cloud cover, and remote from the light pollution and smoke of cities.
Lowell discovered an enormous network of canals and oases on Mars, from which he deduced the existence of an advanced Martian civilization. Later studies by astronomers with larger telescopes found no canals and no oases. The canals were an illusion – Lowell’s aspirations led him to ‘see’ a landscape his telescopes lacked the power to resolve. However, he was not the only astronomer to see canals on Mars!
Early triumphs for the Lowell Observatory were the discovery of galactic redshifts, hinting at an expanding universe, and the discovery of the rotation of spiral galaxies.
Lowell’s search for a ninth planet, he called it Planet X, led to the discovery of Pluto.
We then headed out where our first stop was the Lampland Telescope, named for Carl Lampland.
Lampland spent his entire 50-year career as an astronomer at Lowell Observatory, participating in many important research projects including the search for a 9th planet that led to the discovery of Pluto and measuring the temperature of planets. He also kept a daily diary, which today serves as a valuable resource for documenting both research and personal activities around the observatory. Yet his name is not well remembered even in scientific circles.
Then it was on to the famous Clark Telescope built in 1894, recently renovated and still functional today, and is used for viewing on evening tours.
Outside the Clark Telescope, there is a spot to view downtown Flagstaff.
After Lowell died, his wife had a mausoleum built. The inner windows are blue (they are protected by the clear exterior windows) so that Lowell will looking up at the blue night sky for eternity.
The original water tower is near by (and they have to warn people not to climb on it).
The John Vickers McAllister telescope is also nearby and can be seen through the windows (the tour did not go inside).
After a short break we went on the Story of Pluto Tour starting in the Rotunda Museum. The wings of the building are not open to the public, as they house offices for the many astronomers who still work here. The Rotunda Museum is housed in this magnificent old building.
In the middle of the domed room is a large ball which is actually a screen on which the tour leader projected numerous things to help us better understand how Pluto (with its five moons) was discovered.
We then set out on the walk that demonstrated the distances in our solar system, staring with the sun and ending with Pluto and the telescope used to discover Pluto.
Outside, there is a statue of Clyde William Tombaugh - his observations of changes on slides were the actual discovery of Pluto.
As we were leaving, we passed by the new Giovale Open Deck Discovery. We became members of the Lowell Observatory and have tickets to a members only event coming up in a couple of weeks from when I wrote this post.
This time, we went into the visitor center and started with the Lowell Tour. "Explore Lowell Observatory’s past and present research efforts during this 45-minute guided walking tour of the historical campus. This tour includes a stop at the renowned 24” Clark Refracting Telescope, built in 1896 and still in use today." The tour leader spent about 15 minutes in the auditorium telling us about Percival Lowell and his family. Among other things, his sister Amy was a Pulitzer Prize winning poet and his younger brother Abbot went on to become President of Harvard University. Here is a short bio about Percival Lowell, 1855 - 1916, copied from the observatory's website:
Percival Lowell was a mathematician, businessman, travel writer, and astronomer. The Lowell observatory in Arizona was the first permanent observatory built solely for its viewing conditions: high altitude to minimize atmospheric distortion, minimal cloud cover, and remote from the light pollution and smoke of cities.
Lowell discovered an enormous network of canals and oases on Mars, from which he deduced the existence of an advanced Martian civilization. Later studies by astronomers with larger telescopes found no canals and no oases. The canals were an illusion – Lowell’s aspirations led him to ‘see’ a landscape his telescopes lacked the power to resolve. However, he was not the only astronomer to see canals on Mars!
Early triumphs for the Lowell Observatory were the discovery of galactic redshifts, hinting at an expanding universe, and the discovery of the rotation of spiral galaxies.
Lowell’s search for a ninth planet, he called it Planet X, led to the discovery of Pluto.
We then headed out where our first stop was the Lampland Telescope, named for Carl Lampland.
Lampland spent his entire 50-year career as an astronomer at Lowell Observatory, participating in many important research projects including the search for a 9th planet that led to the discovery of Pluto and measuring the temperature of planets. He also kept a daily diary, which today serves as a valuable resource for documenting both research and personal activities around the observatory. Yet his name is not well remembered even in scientific circles.
Then it was on to the famous Clark Telescope built in 1894, recently renovated and still functional today, and is used for viewing on evening tours.
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| This is chair where you sit to look through the telescope. |
Outside the Clark Telescope, there is a spot to view downtown Flagstaff.
After Lowell died, his wife had a mausoleum built. The inner windows are blue (they are protected by the clear exterior windows) so that Lowell will looking up at the blue night sky for eternity.
The original water tower is near by (and they have to warn people not to climb on it).
The John Vickers McAllister telescope is also nearby and can be seen through the windows (the tour did not go inside).
After a short break we went on the Story of Pluto Tour starting in the Rotunda Museum. The wings of the building are not open to the public, as they house offices for the many astronomers who still work here. The Rotunda Museum is housed in this magnificent old building.
In the middle of the domed room is a large ball which is actually a screen on which the tour leader projected numerous things to help us better understand how Pluto (with its five moons) was discovered.
We then set out on the walk that demonstrated the distances in our solar system, staring with the sun and ending with Pluto and the telescope used to discover Pluto.
Outside, there is a statue of Clyde William Tombaugh - his observations of changes on slides were the actual discovery of Pluto.
As we were leaving, we passed by the new Giovale Open Deck Discovery. We became members of the Lowell Observatory and have tickets to a members only event coming up in a couple of weeks from when I wrote this post.
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