Lowell Observatory

Lowell Observatory is an astronomical observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States. Lowell Observatory was established in 1894, placing it among the oldest observatories in the United States, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965. In 2011, the Observatory was named one of "The World's 100 Most Important Places" by Time magazine. It was at the Lowell Observatory that the dwarf planet Pluto was discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh. Lowell is home to a 24-inch Clark Refracting Telescope, built in 1896, which is still in use today for public observing. Lowell sees over 150,000 annual visitors and is active in exoplanet and minor planet research. The observatory was founded by astronomer Percival Lowell of Boston's Lowell family and is overseen by a sole trustee, a position historically handed down through the family. The first trustee was Lowell's third cousin Guy Lowell (1916–1927). Percival's nephew Roger Putnam served from 1927 to 1967, followed by Roger's son Michael (1967–1987), Michael's brother William Lowell Putnam III (1987–2013), and current trustee W. Lowell Putnam. The trustee appoints an Executive Director to oversee operations of the observatory, and consults with an advisory board. The current Director is Dr. Amanda Bosh. Multiple astronauts attended the Lowell Observatory in 1963 while the Moon was being mapped for the Apollo Program, and many observed through the Clark Telescope.