[meteorite-list] Tombaugh's Widow Shook Up Over Pluto's Demotion

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri Aug 25 12:30:48 2006
Message-ID: <200608251628.JAA10666_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.kobtv.com/index.cfm?viewer=storyviewer&id=27487&cat=NMTOPSTORIES

Astronomer's widow 'shook up' over Pluto's demotion
Associated Press
August 25, 2006

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - The 93-year-old widow of astronomer Clyde
Tombaugh says she's frustrated about the decision to strip Pluto
of its status as a planet.

Patricia Tombaugh says she's not heartbroken, just shook up.

But Mrs. Tombaugh also said today that her husband, who
discovered Pluto in 1930, probably would have endorsed the
action by the International Astronomical Union.

She says he was a scientist, and science is subject to change
based on research using improved exploration equipment.

Clyde Tombaugh, who died in 1997, knew in the years before his
death that scientific advances were undermining Pluto's claim
as a planet.

Tombaugh, who worked at New Mexico State University from 1955
until his retirement in 1973, was 24 when he discovered Pluto.
Received on Fri 25 Aug 2006 12:28:03 PM PDT