On this day in 1916, American astronomer Percival Lowell died at the age of 61 in Flagstaff, AZ. He will forever be remembered for his incorrect theory concerning canals on Mars as well as his better theory about a ninth planet, which contributed to the discovery of Pluto 14 years by Clyde Tombaugh, who was working at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff.
Some interesting facts about Mr. Lowell’s life includes:
- After graduating from Harvard with a degree in mathematics yet spent six years running a cotton mill;
- He traveled extensively to Asia and wrote numerous books about the region;
- He was a dedicated pacifist; and
- His greatest contribution to astronomy related to the preferred placement of observatories.
Mr. Lowell was far from the mark when he said this about Mars:
Speculation has been singularly fruitful as to what these markings on our next to nearest neighbor in space may mean. Each astronomer holds a different pet theory on the subject, and pooh-poohs those of all the others. Nevertheless, the most self-evident explanation from the markings themselves is probably the true one; namely, that in them we are looking upon the result of the work of some sort of intelligent beings. . . . The amazing blue network on Mars hints that one planet besides our own is actually inhabited now.
Yet it is too early to say he was also dreaming when he made this comment:
Now when we think that each of these stars is probably the centre of a solar system grander than our own, we cannot seriously take ourselves to be the only minds in it all.
Our Awesome Universe 