What's Happening in Flagstaff, AZ…

To celebrate the dwarf planet’s discovery here in Flagstaff 91 years ago, the annual I Heart Pluto Festival is going virtual in mid-February.

The six-day festival will feature 10 live-stream events, starting February 13 from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm with a keynote lecture “Why Pluto is a Planet,” which argues against the International Astronomical Union’s 2006 reclassification of Pluto as a dwarf planet.

The next evening will be an open discussion on Pluto’s discoverer Clyde Tombaugh by the astronomer’s son Alden, David Eicher (Astronomy Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief) and moderator Lowell Observatory Historian, Kevin Schindler. Following the discussion Lowell Observatory educators will give a one-hour tour of the observatory.

On Tuesday, February 16, from 6:00 pm until 7:00, pm planetary scientist Dr. Will Grundy will lecture on “Pluto After New Horizons.”

The following evening, scientists will tour the U.S. Naval Observatory Flagstaff and look at the telescope that captured photographs from which Jim Christy found Charon, Pluto’s largest moon. The festival will continue with “Imagining Pluto: The Artist’s Journey to Envision Pluto Through the Ages.” Jon Ramer will moderate a panel of three International Association of Astronomical Artists members.

A family night of activities, stories and a recreation of Pluto’s surface demonstration will be broadcast on Thursday from 5:30 pm until 6:00 pm.

Closing night will feature a tour of Clyde Tombaugh’s discovery day and a closing discussion on the ongoing fascination with the planet/dwarf planet.

Although the festival will be free, the website is asking for donations such as individual, group, and Corporate Gifts.

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