Pluto was named by an 11 year old venetia burney after she won the popular vote in a 1930 survey she won the equivalent of today s 450 usd

Pluto: The Name Given by an 11-Year-Old and its Remarkable Journey

Pluto, the enigmatic celestial body located at the edge of our solar system, holds a special place in history for its unique naming story. Back in 1930, this distant dwarf planet was christened by an 11-year-old girl named Venetia Burney, an English schoolgirl residing in Oxford. Venetia’s fascinating contribution to the scientific community began with a popular vote, where she emerged victorious and won the equivalent of today’s $450 USD. Let us delve into the intriguing tale of Venetia Burney and the symbolic name she bestowed upon this distant world.

At a young age, Venetia was inherently curious about the vastness of space and the exploration of new frontiers. It was in early 1930 that she overheard her grandfather discussing the discovery of a distant planet beyond Neptune. The conversation revolved around the possibility of naming this newfound cosmic treasure. Intrigued and compelled, young Venetia decided to take matters into her own hands.

The following morning, armed with her passion and an unfaltering determination, Venetia proposed the name “Pluto” to her father over breakfast. Inspired by the Roman god of the underworld, this name perfectly encapsulated the distant, mysterious nature of the planet and its dark, cold existence. Her father, recognizing both the uniqueness and relevance of the name, encouraged Venetia to share her suggestion with her school teacher.

In an astonishing turn of events, Venetia’s teacher was not only captivated by her choice of name but also recognized its scientific and cultural significance. Embracing Venetia’s proposal, her teacher sent a letter to the prestigious Lowell Observatory in Arizona, home to the astronomers responsible for the discovery of this distant planet. Scientific luminaries were astounded by the young schoolgirl’s compelling suggestion and the symbolism it carried.

The majority of the astronomers at the Lowell Observatory, including the discoverer of Pluto, Clyde Tombaugh, were thrilled with Venetia’s proposal. Following extensive deliberations and discussions within the astronomical community, the name “Pluto” emerged as the clear favorite. On March 24, 1930, Pluto was officially christened, thanks to the imagination and astuteness of an 11-year-old girl who had ignited the curiosity of scientists worldwide.

Venetia Burney’s incredible contribution did not go unnoticed. Her captivating suggestion garnered attention from various media outlets, propelling her name into the international limelight. Newspapers, magazines, and radio broadcasts celebrated Venetia’s outstanding triumph, recognizing her as the youngest person ever to name a celestial object of such importance. The prestigious Royal Astronomical Society awarded her a generous sum of £5, equivalent to approximately $450 USD today, as a token of appreciation for her remarkable feat.

Penning her name into the annals of scientific discovery, Venetia Burney forever enhanced our understanding of the vast cosmos. She exemplified the power of imagination, reminding us that age is no barrier to remarkable contributions. Today, when we gaze at the dwarf planet Pluto, we are not only witnessing a distant icy world, but also a testament to the indomitable spirit of a young girl who dreamt beyond the limitations of her time.

Sources:

• Nineplanets.org - Pluto