Clyde Tombaugh

Date of Birth: February 4, 1906

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: January 17, 1997

Biography

Clyde William Tombaugh was an American astronomer best known for his discovery of Pluto in 1930. Born on a farm near Streator, Illinois, Tombaugh developed an early interest in astronomy after his uncle lent him a telescope. His family later moved to Kansas, where Tombaugh built his own telescopes using lenses and mirrors he ground himself. His detailed drawings of Jupiter and Mars caught the attention of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, leading to a job offer. While at Lowell Observatory, Tombaugh discovered Pluto on February 18, 1930, becoming the first American to discover a planet. His discovery marked a significant milestone in astronomy, and Pluto was considered the ninth planet in the Solar System until it was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006. Tombaugh continued his work in astronomy, discovering hundreds of asteroids and several star clusters, and he remained active in the field until his retirement.

5 Interesting Facts about Clyde Tombaugh

1. Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto at the age of 24.

2. He built his first telescopes from scratch using farm equipment and parts.

3. Tombaugh’s work led to the discovery of over 800 asteroids.

4. He was a lifelong advocate for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI).

5. Some of Tombaugh’s ashes were sent into space aboard the New Horizons spacecraft, which passed by Pluto in 2015.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Clyde Tombaugh

1. “I have never seen a visual phenomenon that cannot be explained.”

2. “When I discovered Pluto, I was actually looking for something else.”

3. “Astronomy compels the soul to look upward, and leads us from this world to another.”

4. “From my point of view, it is absolutely essential that the United States continue its program of space exploration.”

5. “Each one of us is a tiny part of the universe, and it is our duty and our privilege to study and understand it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Clyde Tombaugh did not achieve significant personal wealth from his discoveries, as he spent most of his career in academia and research. His highest net worth is not publicly documented.