At the Texas star party a few years ago I had the privilege of meeting Clyde Tombaugh in person before his passing.

Although his contribution to science was unjustly demoted to a “dwarf” planet, he was still active in the astronomy community.

On the other end of the spectrum, Nathan Gray, age 10, is the youngest person to discover a supernova.

Nathan and his family (his parents and sister) formed a supernova search team in partnership with David J. Lane (Saint Mary’s University).  The family researched images taken from Lane’s Abbey Ridge Observatory.

Nathan had been scanning astronomical images for months (just like Clyde did to find Pluto), and identified some potential supernovae.  Although several sources that Nathan identified proved to be false, his perseverance paid off.  Not only did he discover a supernova, it is a very strange supernova.  The supernova was initially classified as a type II-pec (peculiar) supernova because it has properties that aren’t always consistent with other supernova.

Go Canada!

– Ex astris, scientia –

I am and avid amateur astronomer and intellectual property attorney in Pasadena, California and I am a Rising Star as rated by Super Lawyers Magazine.  As a former Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, I am a proud member of the Armed Service Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association working to aid all active duty and veterans in our communities. Connect with me on Google +

Norman