In 1930, a remarkable discovery was made at Arizona's very own Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff. This year marks 94 years since the 9th planet was found. So, show some love for the smallest planet and celebrate the discovery of Pluto at the 4th Annual I Heart Pluto Festival on Feb. 16-19, 2024 in Flagstaff, AZ. This event is bound to be out of this world!
Lowell Observatory was established on May 28, 1894, and is among the oldest observatories in the U.S. Its founder Percival Lowell (1855-1916) was obsessed with the idea that there was another planet in our solar system.
Lowell passed away in 1916 but that didn't stop astronomers from searching the solar system for another planet beyond Neptune.
When his brother, Harvard University President A. Lawrence Lowell took over Percival's estate and provided funding for a new, more powerful telescope, the discovery was made soon after.
On Mar. 13, 1930, an announcement was made that a 9th planet had been found by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh. This was such an important and much-celebrated discovery! And the celebrations continue to this day with the I Heart Pluto Festival held in Flagstaff. This year's event will be held Feb. 16-18.
On Friday, Feb. 16, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., you can embark on the Pluto Pub Crawl. During this kick-off to the I Heart Pluto weekend, you'll be given a map of the brewhouses and pubs around town. The route on the map is in the shape of Pluto's symbol!
Participating breweries and pubs include Mother Road Brewery, The Annex, Hops on Birch, NiMarco's Pizza, and more.
At each stop, there will be food, Pluto-themed drinks, and scientific outreach. It's bound to be a good time!
On Saturday, Feb. 17, The Lowell Observatory will host programs throughout the day between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. That evening from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. in Downtown Flagstaff, The Orpheum Theater will host the "Night of Discovery" event with author Diana Gabaldon.
Known for penning the Outlander series, Gabaldon, who grew up in Flagstaff, is also the great-granddaughter of Stanley Sykes. Sykes was hired by Percival Lowell in 1894 and worked at the Lowell Observatory for over 50 years.
The I Heart Pluto Festival will wrap up on Sunday, Feb. 18 from 12 p.m. until 10 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 19 from 12 p.m. until 10 p.m. On Sunday, you'll be able to learn all about the solar system's smallest planetary member throughout the day and end the evening with a constellation tour.
While many years following the discovery of Pluto, it was downgraded to a dwarf planet. However, it should still be celebrated!
Will you attend this year's I Heart Pluto Festival in Flagstaff to celebrate the 94th anniversary of the discovery of the 9th planet? Let us know if you have plans to go or have attended in the past. For ticket and weekend event information, head to the I Heart Pluto Festival website as well as the Lowell Observatory website.
Need a place to stay in Flagstaff during the I Heart Pluto Festival or at any other time? Check out the unique rentals around town on Vrbo.
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