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Tombaugh

American  
[tom-baw] / ˈtɒm bɔ /

noun

  1. Clyde William, 1906–97, U.S. astronomer: discovered Pluto 1930.


Tombaugh British  
/ ˈtɒmbəʊ /

noun

  1. Clyde William. 1906–97, US astronomer, who discovered (1930) the dwarf planet Pluto

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Tombaugh Scientific  
/ tŏmbô′ /
  1. American astronomer who discovered Pluto in 1930. Beyond the orbit of Neptune, the existence of a planet known as Planet X, had been predicted some years earlier by the American astronomer Percival Lowell based on apparent perturbations in the orbits of Neptune and Uranus. Tombaugh's careful analysis of celestial photographs did reveal a new celestial body, although it was too small to have caused the perturbations. Planet X itself was never found.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The "heart," also known as the Tombaugh Regio, captured the public's attention immediately upon its discovery.

From Science Daily

Being the first-ever space probe to visit the dwarf planet, New Horizons provided stunning pictures of Pluto's red and white surface, including Tombaugh Regio, a light-colored topographical swath in the shape of a heart.

From Salon

Other lots relate to American aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, who vanished while attempting a round-the-world flight in 1937, including photographs and letters, as well a telescope belonging to the astronomer Clyde Tombaugh who discovered Pluto.

From Reuters

Pluto had held this distinction of planet for 76 years, starting with its discovery in 1930 by American astronomer Clyde W. Tombaugh.

From Salon

The only person who escaped this fate is Clyde Tombaugh, the discoverer of Pluto, some of whose ashes are making their way out of the solar system aboard the New Horizons spacecraft.

From Scientific American