On the road: Working on a classic

On the road: Working on a classic

Posted 01-28-2009 by Michael Bakich

Today, at Rancho Hidalgo, I had a rare opportunity. I helped reassemble Clyde Tombaugh's 16-inch reflecting telescope. Yes, it's that Clyde Tombaugh — the person who discovered ex-planet Pluto.

Developer Gene Turner purchased the telescope from Tombaugh's widow, Patsy, several years ago. He disassembled it, moved it from Las Cruces to Animas, New Mexico, and I arrived just in time to help put the finishing touches on it. Specifically, I helped reattach the ball-governed falling-weight drive that counteracted the effect of Earth's rotation. Like a telescope's electric motor today, it kept whatever was in the field of view from drifting out.

Later today (Wednesday), Patsy Tombaugh and a host of other astronomical dignitaries will attend the dedication ceremony for the telescope. It sits in the center of what Turner calls "Pluto Park." The scope is the first of the park's features.

Be sure to catch my next blog. I'll describe the dedication ceremony and send more pics.

Previous post: Just out of reach

Clyde Tombaugh's 16-inch reflecting telescope at Rancho Hidalgo

Clyde Tombaugh's 16-inch reflecting telescope gear drive

Clyde Tombaugh's 16-inch reflecting telescope at sunset

Comments (1) | Tags: Michael Bakich, telescopes, history

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laurele said:

Please do not refer to Pluto as an "ex-planet," as that amounts to blind acceptance of the controversial IAU decision of 2006, which was made by only four percent of its members and has been rejected by an equal number of planetary scientists. Pluto is round, meaning it is in a state known as hydrostatic equilibrium. That means it has enough self gravity to pull itself into a round shape, making it geologically differentiated just like the larger planets and unlike shapeless asteroids. This debate is far from over, and even now, there are efforts underway by both professionals and lay people to get this demotion overturned. Pluto has been, is, and will always be, a full fledged planet!

January 29, 2009 12:18 AM