Percival Lowell, a descendant of the Boston Lowell family and a prominent mathematician, was the man behind the Lowell Observatory located in Flagstaff, Arizona. Lowell spearheaded the beginning of the effort that led to the discovery of Pluto 14 years after his death. The choice of the name Pluto and its symbol were partly influenced...

by his initials PL, and although Pluto is no longer listed as an official planet, the work of Lowell and his colleagues has led to numerous discoveries and advancements for the field of astronomy. Lowell died in 1916 at the age of 61, but his legacy lives on through the observatory. There you go, and now you know.











To learn more about other interesting places and local attractions, visit our Hotel in Flagstaff.