In 2014, an ounce of him will reach a new horizon, flying past a now demoted whole new world. What will take him there?

queproblema

It's the New Hrizons robotic spacecraft. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Horizons Slight discrepancy here. "In memory of the first American to discover a planet in our solar system, the piano-sized New Horizons spacecraft carries a small aluminum canister containing some of Tombaugh's cremated remains, donated by his family. These remains will fly past Pluto with New Horizons on July 14, 2015, and then on past Kuiper Belt objects in the succeeding years. New Horizons will eventually escape our solar system altogether and enter interstellar space. As such, Tombaugh's remains have become the first to be launched to the stars." http://www.jhuapl.edu/newscenter/pressreleases/2006/060203.asp And Pluto's no longer considered a full-fledged planet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto Dec 09 08, 10:11 PM

zbeckabee

Approximately one ounce of his ashes are being carried on the New Horizons spacecraft, launched in 2005 for a flyby of Pluto in 2014. The container includes the inscription: "Interned herein are remains of American Clyde W. Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto and the solar system's 'third zone'. Adelle and Muron's boy, Patricia's husband, Annette and Alden's father, astronomer, teacher, punster, and friend: Clyde W. Tombaugh (1906-1997)." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clyde_Tombaugh Dec 09 08, 10:35 PM

edmund80

Great job both of you! Yes, an ounce of Clyde W. Tombaugh is on its way for a flyover of Pluto. One source says that will happen in 2015 and another (including a TV program I watched) says 2014. The IAU (International Astronomical Union) was responsible for Pluto's recent demotion from planet to dwarf planet. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/5282440.stm Dec 09 08, 11:05 PM