Asteroid (1886) Lowell

Percival Lawrence Lowell (March 13, 1855 – November 12, 1916) was an American businessman, author, mathematician, and astronomer who fueled speculation that there were canals on Mars, founded the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, and formed the beginning of the effort that led to the discovery of Pluto fourteen years after his death. The choice of the name Pluto and its symbol were partly influenced by his initials PL.

Lowell was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada at a special meeting at Toronto's Central Technical School on 1916-04-27 on the occasion of his special visit. Five other honorary fellows were elected at the same meeting: Backlund, Baillaud, Dyson, Schlesinger and Turner. Lowell passed away less than seven months later.

Orbit type: Main Belt Asteroid

Author: 
ebriggs733@gmail.com
Name: 
Lowell
Number: 
1886
Designation: 
1949 MP
Disc. Date: 
1949-06-21
Discoverer: 
Giclas, H.L. & Schaldach, R.D.
Disc. Place: 
Flagstaff (LO)