[meteorite-list] Tombaugh's Widow Shook Up Over Pluto's Demotion

[Ron Baalke]

http://www.kobtv.com/index.cfm?viewer=storyviewer&id=27487&cat=NMTOPSTORIES

Astronomer's widow 'shook up' over Pluto's demotion
Associated Press
August 25, 2006

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - The 93-year-old widow of astronomer Clyde 
Tombaugh says she's frustrated about the decision to strip Pluto 
of its status as a planet.

Patricia Tombaugh says she's not heartbroken, just shook up.

But Mrs. Tombaugh also said today that her husband, who 
discovered Pluto in 1930, probably would have endorsed the 
action by the International Astronomical Union.

She says he was a scientist, and science is subject to change 
based on research using improved exploration equipment.

Clyde Tombaugh, who died in 1997, knew in the years before his 
death that scientific advances were undermining Pluto's claim 
as a planet.

Tombaugh, who worked at New Mexico State University from 1955 
until his retirement in 1973, was 24 when he discovered Pluto.