Famous Local Telescope Gets A Facelift

The Lowell Observatory Pluto Discovery Telescope has been nearly completely restored. This is the telescope that was used by Clyde Tombaugh to discover the far distant planet nearly almost 90 years ago.

The telescope is officially known as an astrographic camera. This type of telescope is designed exclusively for astronomical photography, and has three lenses which focus light onto a single glass photographic page. Each image of this particular telescope requires almost an hour of exposure time.

The Lowell Observatory is hosting a grand reopening of the Pluto Discovery Telescope this weekend for both members and non-members.

Members can take part from 1pm to 3pm, and non-members can take part in the event from 3pm to 5pm.

The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 3pm.

For non-members, the event is the normal cost of admission:

Adults: $15

Seniors, AAA, college students: $14

Ages 5 – 17: $8

For more information on the telescope, the observatory, and other events, check out their website here.