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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF LOWELL OBSERVATORY
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HON. TOM O'HALLERAN
of arizona
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Mr. O'HALLERAN. Madam Speaker, on May 28, 1894 Percival Lowell
arrived in Flagstaff, Arizona Territory and officially began operations
at his new astronomical observatory. This was one of the first
permanent scientific establishments in the western United States and
one of the most storied centers for scientific research and outreach in
the world. As we celebrate Lowell Observatory's 125th anniversary this
year, we not only look back to honor its rich heritage, but also look
ahead to a future in which the sky is not the limit but the starting
point.
Percival Lowell was the scion of a Boston Brahmin clan steeped in the
traditions of public service and community leadership. His siblings
alone included brother Abbott Lawrence, president of Harvard University
for 24 years, and Pulitzer-Prize-winning poet Amy. Percival Lowell
established his observatory initially to study Mars and the possibility
of intelligent life there. He transcended science into pop culture by
writing several popular books and lecturing widely. His provocative
ideas triggered much discussion and debate--both within and outside of
scientific circles--about extraterrestrial life. This standard set by
Lowell to not only carry out research but to share the wonder and awe
of space with the public led to the observatory's dual mission of
research and education.
Some significant contributions made at Lowell Observatory:
V.M. Slipher detected the first evidence of the expanding universe in
1912.
Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930.
At the urging of Lowell scientists, Flagstaff enacted the world's
first dark skies ordinance in 1958. This laid the path for future
regulations that culminated in the community's designation as the first
International Dark Sky City, in 2001.
Flagstaff continues to serve as a model for dark skies protection.
The second class of astronauts, the so-called ``Next Nine'' that
included Neil Armstrong, and Jim Lovell, visited Lowell Observatory in
1963 to learn about the lunar mapping efforts going on here. This was
part of a training exercise in northern Arizona that proved an
important step in preparing the astronauts for their missions to the
Moon.
A team of scientists, including many from Lowell, discovered the
rings of Uranus in 1977.
Using observations with several research instruments, including
Lowell Observatory's Perkins Telescope, Vera Rubin and Kent Ford
confirmed the existence of dark; matter in 1978.
A team of scientists, including many from Lowell, discovered Pluto's
atmosphere in 1988.
Lowell scientist Will Grundy served as a team leader on the New
Horizons mission's 2015 exploration of Pluto. This mission returned
stunning images of the only planet in our solar system discovered in
the United States.
Today, scientists at Lowell use a variety of ground-and space-based
instruments for research--including Lowell Observatory's flagship
Discovery Channel Telescope, one of the most versatile telescopes in
the world. Meanwhile, the visitor program welcomes more than 100,000
guests per year and in the fall will complete construction of the
Giovale Open Deck Observatory, the first stage of a multi-year master
plan that will greatly increase the observatory's educational reach.
In recognition of Lowell's heritage of science, education, culture,
and history, the observatory was designated a Registered National
Historic Landmark by the National Park Service in 1965 and identified
as an Arizona Treasure in 2005 by Governor Janet Napolitano. In 2011
Time magazine named it one of ``The World's 100 Most Important
Places.'' Also, Astronomy magazine Editor Dave Eicher recently
nicknamed Lowell Observatory ``America's Observatory'' because of its
``unique combination of astronomical history and famous discoveries''.
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