Editing Lowell Observatory (section)

==History==
{{expand section|missing history of the earliest telescope and observatory; how funded?; when built?|date=February 2022}}
In 1877 the Italian astronomer [[Giovanni Schiaparelli]] purported to have discovered a series of [[martian canals]]. Percival Lowell had seen these drawings and was fascinated by the idea of artificial canals in Mars. In the winter of 1893, he devoted to use his wealth and connections to establish an observatory in the US. His wealth stemmed from his connection to the influential Boston [[Lowell family]] and his successful career as an investment banker. Lowell hired American astronomer Andrew E. Douglas to find a suitable location for the observatory and in 1894 they agreed to build it in Flagstaff, Arizona due to its elevation, dark night skies, and proximity to the railroad. The materials for the construction of the observatory were all sourced locally, but the Clark Refracting Telescope was assembled in Boston.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=2011JBAA..121...91A Page 92 |url=https://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu//full/2011JBAA..121...91A/0000092.000.html |access-date=2023-07-27 |journal=Journal of the British Astronomical Association|bibcode=2011JBAA..121...91A |last1=Abel |first1=P. G. |date=2011 |volume=121 |page=91 }}</ref>

The observatory has carried out a wide array of research. One of its programs was the measurement of the variability of [[solar irradiance]].<ref name="Reflector">{{cite journal |last1=Wotkyns|first1=Steele|year=2006|title= Lowell Observatory's 21-inch Telescope Delivering Long-Term Results|journal=Reflector|publisher=the Astronomical League|volume=LVIII|issue=2|page=16}}</ref> When [[Harold L. Johnson]] took over as the director in 1952, the stated objective became to focus on light from the Sun reflecting from [[Uranus]] and [[Neptune]].<ref name="Reflector" /> In 1953, the current {{convert|21|in|cm|adj=on|abbr=in|order=flip|sp=us}} telescope was erected.<ref name="Reflector" /> Beginning in 1954, this telescope began monitoring the brightness of these two planets, and comparing these measurements with a reference set of Sun-like stars.<ref name="Reflector" />

Self-taught astronomer [[Robert Burnham Jr.]] was an employee at Lowell observatory from 1958 to 1979, being known for his ''Celestial Handbook''.

Beginning in 2012, Lowell Observatory began offering camps for children known as LOCKs (Lowell Observatory Camps for Kids). The first camp was established for elementary students. Later on, in 2013, they added an additional camp program for preschool children. The following year they added another program for middle school students. ("Kelly", Manager at Lowell Observatory). Kids have the opportunity to learn hands-on about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through a variety of activities that include games, experiments, story time, art, music, and more.

In 2016, Kevin Schindler published ''Lowell Observatory'', a 128-page book containing over 200 captions and pictures. [[Arcadia Publishing]]'s ''Images of America'' included it in their series, which increased the enthusiasm of space in the public. The book itself features the popular reputation of Lowell Observatory, encompassing the revolutionary research of scientists and how they contributed to the field of astronomy.<ref name=History /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/best_book/47152659-lowell-observatory-images-of-america-arizona|title=Lowell Observatory|website=www.goodreads.com|access-date=2019-04-03}}</ref> <gallery>
File:Percival Lowell observing Venus from the Lowell Observatory in 1914.jpg|Percival Lowell in the observer's chair of the Alvan Clark {{convert|24|in|cm|adj=on|abbr=in|order=flip|sp=us}} refractor
File:Alvan Clark Telescope Lowell Observatory.jpg|Historic Clark telescope installed in 1896 and housed in a wooden dome resting on automobile tires.
File:Lowell astrograph.jpg|{{convert|13|in|cm|adj=on|abbr=in|order=flip|sp=us}} [[astrograph]] used to discover Pluto
</gallery>