Tombaugh

Definition

Clyde Tombaugh was the American astronomer who discovered Pluto in 1930. His discovery expanded our understanding of the solar system's outer regions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tombaugh discovered Pluto while working at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona.
2. He used a method called 'blink comparison' to identify Pluto.
3. Tombaugh's discovery led to debates about what constitutes a planet, culminating in Pluto's reclassification as a dwarf planet in 2006.
4. He also discovered several asteroids and made contributions to planetary science and astronomy.
5. In addition to his work on Pluto, Tombaugh conducted extensive searches for other celestial bodies beyond Neptune.

Review Questions

• Who discovered Pluto and in what year?
• What technique did Clyde Tombaugh use to discover Pluto?
• How did Tombaugh’s discovery contribute to later astronomical debates?

Related terms

Pluto: A dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt, discovered by Clyde Tombaugh.

Charon: The largest moon of Pluto, discovered in 1978 by astronomer James Christy.

Kuiper Belt: A region of the solar system beyond Neptune, populated with small icy bodies and dwarf planets like Pluto.