Expanding our universe...Lowell Observatory

At 7,200 feet on Mars Hill overlooking downtown Flagstaff, Arizona is the Lowell Observatory, where a number of important astronomical accomplishments have been made over the years. It is the place where it was discovered that the universe is expanding, and also where a then-theoretical ninth planet (Pluto) was first seen.

The observatory was built in 1894 by the very wealthy Percy Lowell, after whom Lowell, Mass. is named. Today it consists of two domes, each housing a large telescope. The historic Clark Telescope is down for repairs right now for the first time in its 117 years. Sigh.

But we did go into the dome, which was built from local pine lumber by a couple of brothers who owned a bicycle repair shop way back when. The "upside down bucket" shape (as the guide described it) allows for the top half to rotate on a series of old Ford truck wheels, complete with shiny hubcaps, to position the opening appropriately for viewing the desired part of the sky.

Mars Hill used to be the only observatory site, but increasing light pollution from the growing Flagstaff area forced them to first move about 13 miles outside of town, and then 40 miles outside of town. This distant site, called "Happy Jack", is home to the new $53 million Discovery Channel Telescope. We didn't get out to visit it, but the videos were impressive.

There is also a museum, documenting the history of the Lowell family, and the discoveries made at the Observatory.

Percival Lowell's first telescope that fueled his interest in astronomy and inspired him to build the observatory.

This is the Spectrograph used to discover that the universe is constantly expanding, not collapsing, by measuring shifts in the frequency of light waves from distant galaxies.

This instrument found the planet Pluto. There are tee shirts with "RIP" on them....Revolve in Peace. The symbol for Pluto is a combined "PL", created to honor Percival Lowell.

Another interesting thing is that Flagstaff is officially an "International Dark Sky city". They minimize the use of lights at night, and even their streetlights are sodium vapor lights, which emit a low intensity reddish light. All of this is, of course, an effort to decrease the light pollution here which hampers astronomical exploration.

As a little side trip, we visited the Elden Pueblo that is right in town; in fact, it is just across the street from the Flagstaff Mall. The Native Americans who lived here thousands of years ago were ultimately displaced by the eruption of the nearby volcano, and by a 20-year drought. There is an active archeological dig happening here, and we took a short self-guided tour through what they have uncovered so far.