The rattlesnake is Arizona’s official state reptile, petrified wood is the state fossil, and the bola (or bolo) tie is the state neckwear. Now, if Arizona lawmaker Justin Wilmeth gets his way, Arizona will become the first state to boast an official planet: Pluto. Wilmeth, a republican state representative for District 15, introduced the bill into the House on Jan. 17. Last April, he was part of a legislative delegation that toured the construction site of Lowell Observatory’s … [Read more...] about Could Pluto Become Arizona’s State Planet?
Kevin Schindler
Inspired by Space, Sports, Science
Step into Kevin Schindler’s office and you get a sample of what he loves and where he’s been. There is the shark tooth from Florida, the hubcap from one of the tires in Lowell Observatory’s historic Clark Telescope dome, and the bucket of baseballs collected from spring training. Among the walls of books that surround Schindler are five of his own, authored in the last three years. They speak of Lowell Observatory’s past and present science achievements such as the discovery of Pluto and … [Read more...] about Inspired by Space, Sports, Science
Teachers Flying High in NASA’s Air Observatory
Two Flagstaff educators recently took to new heights in their quest to share their excitement of space. Cruising aboard a NASA flying observatory in September, Samantha Thompson and Rich Krueger saw firsthand the complexity of a telescope operating from an elevation of 43,000 feet. They plan to incorporate what they learned into new STEM-themed exhibits that will be displayed around Northern Arizona. Thompson and Krueger flew on SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) as part … [Read more...] about Teachers Flying High in NASA’s Air Observatory
Historic Telescope Reaching for Stars Again
Lowell Observatory’s iconic Clark Telescope is returning to action after a 20-month renovation project. In early September, the instrument and dome that has punctuated Flagstaff’s skyline since 1896 became available for public daytime tours. Next month, the telescope will be back in full operation as nighttime viewing commences. The Clark had been a mainstay of the visitor experience to Lowell for decades, but the continual heavy use wore its parts out. By 2013, the instrument was in danger … [Read more...] about Historic Telescope Reaching for Stars Again
Flagstaff Festival of Science Exploring New Horizons with Pluto Mission Boss
Canyons, cliffs, mountains of ice and large crater-free regions have astronomers in awe as the New Horizons space mission brings Pluto, its moon Charon and the vast Kuiper Belt into focus. The latest images and information from the historic journey will be shared in the town where Pluto was discovered 85 years ago during the 2015 Flagstaff Festival of Science: Exploring New Horizons, Sept. 18-27. Pluto mission boss and planetary scientist Alan Stern, Ph.D., will kick off the free 10-day event … [Read more...] about Flagstaff Festival of Science Exploring New Horizons with Pluto Mission Boss
First Diamondback Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame a
During his 22-year career as a major league baseball player, Randy Johnson regularly stood on a pitcher’s mound, alone, as tens of thousands of fans watched his every move. He pitched in numerous high-pressure situations, from the deciding game of a World Series to a perfect game. Yet, never was he as nervous as on July 26, when he stood in front of an estimated 50,000 onlookers in Cooperstown, New York. This time, he was not throwing a baseball but talking to the crowd, delivering his … [Read more...] about First Diamondback Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame a
