Clyde Tombaugh

Discovered Pluto and revolutionized planetary astronomy through relentless dedication.

Clyde Tombaugh (1906–1997) stands as a monumental figure in astronomy for his discovery of Pluto in 1930, a breakthrough that expanded humanity's understanding of our solar system. Born in Streator, Illinois, Tombaugh grew up fascinated by the stars, building his own telescopes from spare parts despite lacking formal education. His persistence led him to secure a position at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, where he embarked on a systematic search for 'Planet X', a theoretical celestial body believed to exist beyond Neptune.

Tombaugh's method involved photographing the night sky using a blink comparator, a device that allowed him to detect moving objects by comparing photographic plates. After months of painstaking work, he identified Pluto on February 18, 1930. This discovery not only validated mathematical predictions but also highlighted the potential of amateur astronomers to contribute meaningfully to science.

Beyond Pluto, Tombaugh's career included mapping Mars, studying asteroids, and advocating for space exploration. His work laid groundwork for later missions like New Horizons, which provided the first close-up images of Pluto in 2015. Tombaugh's legacy endures as a symbol of curiosity-driven science, proving that determination and ingenuity can unlock cosmic mysteries.