Percival lowell biography

(b. Boston, Massachusetts, 13 March ; d.

Percival lowell biography

Flagstaff, Arizona, 12 November )

astronomy.

More than any other astronomer of his generation, Percival Lowell had a profound influence on the general public. His thesis that the planet Mars was the abode of intelligent life continued to excite the public mind decades after his death; although the idea never gained the acceptance of his colleagues, it was not until after the Mariner flights to Mars during the late ’s that it could firmly and finally be banished from all consideration.

Lowell’s name is also forever linked with Pluto; although he did not live to see that distant planet (and while subsequent evidence has revealed its discovery to be accidental), there is no doubt that his inspiration advanced the date of its detection by many years.

His most important contribution to astronomy, however, was his realization that superior observational work can be conducted only where atmospheric conditions are superior