Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Aug. 24, 2024.
A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
On Aug. 24, 2006, the International Astronomical Union declared that Pluto was no longer a full-fledged planet, demoting it to the status of a “dwarf planet.”
And people the world over who probably had not thought much about the solar system’s tiniest planet protested. The decision was felt most by the family of Clyde Tombaugh, who spotted the planet in 1930 while on lookout at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Pluto, which is in fact smaller than Earth’s moon, was quickly heralded as the ninth planet in the solar system when it was spotted Feb. 18, 1930, by Tombaugh, a young amateur astronomer stationed at Lowell Observatory.
With a diameter of 1,440 miles, Pluto is farthest from the sun. While major planets make roughly circular orbits, Pluto carves out a “sweeping ellipse.” Some wanted to call it a minor planet, others a trans-Neptunian object. Others felt it had been snubbed because it was discovered by an American amateur.
In January 2006, NASA sent its New Horizons spacecraft on humanity’s first journey to Pluto. Seven months later, it was demoted to dwarf planet.
Onboard the New Horizons craft was a small vial of Tombaugh’s ashes, per his wish.
Flagstaff of course still lays claim to Tombaugh, Lowell Laboratory and its connection to Pluto, planet or not.
Here are some fun stories from Deseret News archives about Pluto, Tombaugh and the observatory:
“Discovery undimmed by years of stargazing”
“Astronomer’s ashes nearing icy world he discovered: Pluto”
“What you need to know about the man who discovered Pluto”
“Hometown of Pluto discovery revels in successful flyby”
Pluto not even the biggest of the little
“Pluto is still a mystery after 75 years”
“Pluto deserves to be a planet again, study says”
“What you need to know about the man who discovered Pluto”
“BYU professor’s research helps discover Pluto dunes”
“There may be an ocean under Pluto’s ice, according to a new study”
“Pluto a non-planet? Only on Earth”
“Spotlight shining on Pluto on cold outskirts of solar system”
“Scott D. Pierce: Some people are passionate about Pluto”