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Percival Lowell Papers, 1876-1916.
MS.1
Creator:
Lowell, Percival, 1855-1916
Title:
Percival Lowell Papers
Inclusive Dates:
1876/1916
Quantity:
38 linear ft.
Abstract:
The Percival Lowell Papers contain the publications, research notes and correspondence of the founder of Lowell Observatory. In addition to his work in astronomy, the papers include Lowell's writings from his travels in the Orient and his lectures and writings for the public, which inspired many future scientists and science fiction writers.
Identification:
MS.1
Language:
English
Repository:
Lowell Observatory
1400 West Mars Hill Road
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
(928) 714-7083
E-Mail: archives@lowell.edu
Biographical Note
Percival Lowell was born on March 13, 1855 in Boston, Massachusetts. He studied at Harvard University from 1872-1876 and graduated with a B.A. degree with honors in mathematics. He also received honorary LL.D degrees from Amherst College in 1907 and Clark University in 1909.
Prior to 1883, Lowell devoted himself to business interests. Between 1883 and 1893, Lowell traveled throughout the Far East. He lived in Japan from time to time during this period and wrote several books about his experiences in this area. He also served as the counselor and foreign secretary to the 1883 Special Mission from Korea to the United States, which was the first diplomatic group sent from Korea to any western power. Following this mission, Lowell stayed in Korea as a guest of the government for several months.
Lowell decided to take up observational astronomy in 1893 after hearing that Giovanni Schiaparelli, who had originally discovered the Martian canali (which means 'channels' or 'grooves' in Italian but was mistakenly translated as 'canals' by the English press), was losing his eyesight and would no longer be able to continue his work on Mars. In 1894, after extensive site testing, Lowell established his observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. The chief goal of the observatory was to study the solar system and especially Mars. Lowell's theory stated that the Martians were trying to keep their planet alive via a worldwide canal network which channeled water from the Martian polar caps to the rest of the planet. He claimed that the canals were clearer at some times of the year because from Earth one saw the vegetation around the canals rather than the water in the canals themselves. Therefore, while water was running through the canals, more vegetation grew around them and they became clearer. Several Martian globes which Lowell illustrated with his findings are contained in the Observatory archives.
Lowell also conducted research on the other planets in our solar system, particularly Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury and Venus. He was deeply involved in a search for the ninth planet (Planet X), whose existence he had predicted mathematically by studying the eccentricities of Uranus's orbit not accounted for by Neptune. Lowell determined the internal constitution of Jupiter and Saturn by observing the movement of their satellites as it was influenced by the mass of the planet. He also sketched the surface markings of Mercury and determined periods of rotation for Mercury and Venus. However, it should be noted that the accuracy of his sketches of Mercury's surface markings were the subject of much dispute in the scientific community. One should also note that some, if not much, of the data used to form the conclusions published under Lowell's name was gathered by his assistants. For example, in "On the Spectrographic Investigation of the Rotation Period of the Planet Venus" (1903), Lowell states that V.M. Slipher had made the spectrographs which allowed for the determination of the rotation period of Venus, and in "The Tores of Saturn" (1908), Lowell states that C.O. Lampland did some of the "micrometric measurements" which were included in the article.
Lowell was also a prolific writer. In addition to his articles and lectures, he published many books: A Korean Coup d'Etat, (1884), Choson, The Land of the Morning Calm (1885), The Soul of the Far East (1888), Noto (1891), Occult Japan (1894), Mars (1895), The Annals of Lowell Observatory (Vol. 1, 1898; Vol. 2, 1900; Vol. 3, 1905), The Solar System (1903), Mars and its Canals (1906), Mars as the Abode of Life (1909), and The Evolution of Worlds (1910).
Percival Lowell died on November 12, 1916 and is buried on Mars Hill.
Scope and Content
The Percival Lowell Papers include Lowell's original research and computations in astronomy, as well as his lectures and writings for the public on both astronomy and the Orient. The papers date from 1876 to 1916 and are divided into eight series: Manuscripts; Unpublished Lectures, Manuscripts and Poems; Working Papers; Outside Interests; Trans-Neptunian Planet--Original Computations; Correspondence; Memorabilia, and Personal.
The Manuscripts series dates from 1886-1916 and includes Lowell's scientific publications for astronomical journals and the manuscripts for his books about astronomy (particuarly Mars) and the Orient.
The Unpublished Lectures, Manuscripts and Poems series dates from 1876-1916 and includes Lowell's popular astronomical lectures to the public, various unpublished manuscripts about astronomy, botany and the Orient, and his (mostly astronomically themed) poetry.
The Working Papers series dates from 1883-1916 and deals with his astronomical research, mainly focusing on Mars (including cartouches and globes), Saturn and Jupiter.
The Outside Interests series deals with the various clubs and societies of which Lowell was a member.
The Trans-Neptunian Planet--Original Computations series dates from 1903-1915 and includes all of Lowell's mathematical calculations used to search for the Planet X he believed was perturbing the orbit of Uranus and Neptune.
The Correspondence series dates from 1876-1916 and includes Lowell's correspondence with his family, other astronomers, observatory staff, and members of the public interested in learning more about astronomy.
The Memorabilia series consists of objects that belonged to Lowell, such as his hat, undershirt, camera, and flask. These items are located in the artifact collection.
The Personal series contains a few of Lowell's personal items and a scrapbook of newspaper clippings about his life and work.
Please contact the archives to make an appointment before visiting the institution.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished and published manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Translation of Schiaparelli's Observations of Mars,
1883-1884
2
5
Mars,
1903
2
6
Mars - Seeing Periods,
1903-1905
2
7
Mars, First Frost, Insulation Temperature,
1903-1916
2
8
Mars, Notes on the Appearance of the Disk,
1907
2
9
Mars Insolation,
1907
2
10
Mars Calculations,
1911
2
11
Mars Insolation, South Snow - North Snow,
1911-1912
2
12
Rotation Period,
1911-1915
2
13
Mars-Moon Spectra for Water Vapor,
1914
2
14
Mars Insolation, 1916 Investigation,
1916
2
15
Mars - Longitude of Central Meridian,
1916
2
16
Mars Phase Circles,
1916
2
17
Energy Produced During Contraction, Theoretical Mass of Mars,
1905
2
18
Calculations and Papers on Mars,
1916
2
19
Martian Meteorology, (missing),
Undated
2
20
Mars Frost,
1908
2
21
Mars Phase Circles,
1911
2
22
Mars Record Book Drawings,
1907-1909
2
23
Alpha and Gamma of Canals on Mars (Longitude and Latitude),
1901-1903
2
24
Data for Drawing Mars Phase Circles,
1909
2
25
Mars Axis and Seasons,
1909
Box
Folders
3
1
Polar Axis Determinations,
1909
3
2
South Polar Cap and North Polar Cap of Mars,
1862-1896
3
3
Latitude of South Snow,
1886-1888
3
4
Mars - Most Probable Value of Right Ascension and Declination of Pole,
1901-1907
3
5
Observations of the Polar Cap of Mars,
1901-1907
3
6
Mars, Right Ascension and Declination of Pole and Vernal Equinox,
1907
3
7
Exact Method for Determination of Corrections to Position Angle of Pole and Coordinates of Polar Cap, C.O. Lampland Data,
1907
3
8
Least Squares and Precision Measures of Correction to Precision Angle of the Pole Coordinates and of the South Polar Cap,
1907
3
8-A
Percival Lowell and C.O. Lampland data for Least Square and Precision Measures,
1907
3
9
Mars Alpha and Gamma of Pole and Vernal Equinox,
1909
3
10
Mars Longitudes and Latitudes,
1896-1897
3
11
Mars Polar Cap Diagrams - South Cap,
1911
3
12
Mars North Cap Bulletin,
1911
3
13
Martian Pole,
1911
3
14
Measures of the South Polar Cap of Mars,
1913
3
15
Mars Polar Cap and Rotation,
1911
3
16
Position of the Axis of Mars, Measures of Rotation of Spirals,
1911
3
17
P.A. and South Polar Cap of Mars,
1912
3
18
Mars Artificial Disc Observations to Calibrate Width of Canals,
1903
3
19
Width of Mars Canals,
1905
3
20
Widths of Double Canals,
1907
3
21
Evidence for Life on Mars,
1907
3
22
Data of P. Lowell and C.O. Lampland for Least Square and Precision Measures of Correction to Position Angle of Pole and Coordinates of South Polar Cap,
1907
3
23
Amount of Water over Irrigated Area,
1908
3
24
Mars Canals, Mean Latitudes,
1909
3
25
Mars - Oases and Canals,
1912-1914
3
26
Latitudes of Markings on Mars,
1909
3
27
Latitudinal Increase of Martian Canals,
1909
3
28
Computations of Longitude of Martian Vernal Equinox,
1909
3
29
LeVerrier Assumed Planet in Neptune,
Undated
3
30
Mars Pole, Percival Lowell and E.C. Slipher,
1909
Box
Folders
4
1
Mars Transcriptions, 1900-1901 Section 1,
1900-1901
4
2
Mars Transcriptions, 1900-1901 Section 2,
1900-1901
4
3
Mars Transcriptions, 1903 Section 1,
1903
4
4
Mars Transcriptions, 1903 Section 2,
1903
4
5
Mars Transcriptions, 1905 Section 1,
1905
4
6
Mars Transcriptions, 1905 Section 2,
1905
4
7
Mars Transcriptions,
1907
4
8
Mars Transcriptions,
1909
Box
Folders
5
1
Mars Photos and Drawings,
1896-1901
5
2
Mars Globe Reproductions,
1901
5
3
Venus Drawings,
Undated
5
4
Polar Caps of Mars,
1890-1916
5
5
Regions of Mars,
1894-1907
5
6
Latitude of the North Polar Cap of Mars,
1896-1897
5
7
Reproduced Sketches,
1894-1903
5
8
Lowell Observatory Bulletin - Mars Polar Caps,
1907
5
9
Moon in Sky, assorted pictures,
1905-1909
5
10
Mars Phase Circles,
1907
5
11
Mars Detail Drawing by Lowell,
1907
5
12
Martian Markings, notes on reply to Newcomb,
1916
5
13
Mars Drawings, missing,
1907
5
14
Mars - Drawings, Maps, and Photos,
1903
5
15
Wallace's Criticisms of Lowell's Mars,
1908
5
16
Canals of Mars, a Reply to Professor Newcomb,
1907
5
17
Lowell's Comments on Campbell's Comments on the Water Vapor Content on Mars,
1909-1910
5
18
Canals Visibility,
1894-1901
5
19
Visibility of Canals,
1894-1901
5
20
The Thoth and Amenthes (Martian Canals),
1878-1903
5
21
"Depths of" chapters for Mars and Its Canals,
1905
5
22
Mars Canals Observations,
1896-1901
5
23
Mars' First Antarctic Frost,
1911
5
24
Width of the Double Canals of Mars with Different Apertures,
1902-1903
5
25
Width of Double Canals of Mars with Different Apertures - drafts,
1903-1904
Box
Folders
5-A
1
Comments on Lampland's Photographs of the Canals on Mars,
Undated
5-A
2
Notebook with astronomical data,
Undated
5-A
3
Cloud on Mars' Terminator,
1903
5-A
4
The Sun's Motion as Affecting...,
1900
5-A
5
Schiaparelli's Observations of Mars,
1883-1885
5-A
6
On the Probabilities of Concurrent Evidence,
Undated
5-A
7
On Conservativism,
Undated
5-A
8
Notes on Origin of Species,
1916
5-A
9
Inhabitation of Mars,
1916
5-A
10
Spectroscopic Impotence,
Undated
5-A
11
Mars Canals and Poles plates, Part One,
1894-1895
5-A
12
Mars Canals and Poles plates, Part Two,
1894
5-A
13
Sketches of Mars Canals and Poles,
1894
5-A
14
Coordinates of Mars Canals,
Undated
Box
Folders
6
1
Asteroids,
1897
6
2
Asteroids, Commensurability,
1911
6
3
Asteroid Observations by Lowell,
1906-1907
6
4
Telegrams to Lowell regarding asteroid data,
1907
6
5
Asteroids,
1907
6
6
Dynamics of Asteroids,
1912
6
7
Asteroid Theory,
1910-1911
6
8
Asteroid Distribution,
1915-1916
6
9
Jupiter's Third Satellite,
1897
6
10
Measure of Jupiter,
1905
6
11
Jupiter Satellites I and II Computations,
1915
6
12
Jupiter Satellites I and II,
1915
6
13
Jupiter Satellites I and II Differential Refraction,
1915
6
14
Jupiter Satellites I and II Computed Coordinates,
1915
6
15
Jupiter Satellites I and II Least Square Solutions,
1915
6
16
Jupiter Satellites I and II Computed Coordinates,
1915
6
17
Jupiter Satellite I and II Computed Coordinates, additional copies,
1915
6
18
Jupiter (?) From Lowell Observatory to Mr. Johnson O'Connor,
Undated
6
19
Lowell Observatory Records, Volume 2,
1894
Box
Folders
7
1
Satellites of Jupiter Least Square Solutions,
1915
7
2
Jupiter Satellite II Computed Coordinates,
1915
7
3
Jupiter Satellite II,
1915
7
4
Jupiter Satellite,
1915
7
5
Jupiter Satellite II,
1915
7
6
Jupiter Satellite V
, 1915
7
7
Jupiter - Satellites,
1915
7
8
Jupiter Satellites Differential Refraction,
1915
7
9
Jupiter Satellites I and II,
1915
7
10
Jupiter Satellite I,
1915
7
11
Jupiter Satellite I,
1915
Box
Folders
8
1
Jupiter Satellite I Least Square Solutions,
1915
8
2
Jupiter Satellite I Computed Coordinates,
1915
8
3
Jupiter Satellite I Computed Coordinates Part Two,
1915
8
4
Jupiter Satellite I,
1915
8
5
Jupiter Satellite II,
1915
8
6
Jupiter Satellite I Observed Coordinates,
1915
Box
Folders
9
1
Saturn's Rings - Their Constitution,
Undated
9
2
Mimas and Enceladus Measures,
1906
9
3
Photographs of Saturn,
1910
9
4
Saturn Measurements, Mimas and Enceladus,
1911-1915
9
5
Satellites of Saturn - Computed Coordinates,
1912-1914
9
6
Satellites of Saturn Computed Coordinates Part Two,
1912-1915
9
7
Saturn Delta Rings and Satellites,
1912-1915
9
8
Saturn Opposition,
1913
9
9
Saturn and Uranus,
1914
9
10
Saturn - Opposition Photos of Sketches,
1914-1915
9
11
Saturn Measures,
1915
9
12
Saturn Oblateness,
Undated
9
13
The Oblateness of Saturn, Computations,
Undated
9
14
Saturn, Effect on the Divisions of a Non-Uniform Pull,
Undated
9
15
Saturn, B to Ball, C to Ball,
1915
9
16
Saturn's Rings,
Undated
9
17
Measures and Divisions of Saturn's Rings,
1915
9
18
Measure of Saturn's Rings,
Undated
9
19
Saturn's Rings - Measures reduced from Lowell's notebook and Slipher's notebook,
Undated
9
20
Drawings of Saturn and Reproductions,
1916
9
21
Saturn Original Drawing,
1915
Box
Folders
10
1
Mimas and Enceladus Elements (Calculations by Elizabeth Williams on Saturn and Miscellaneous Subjects),
1912-1915
10
2
Mimas and Enceladus Computed Coordinates, Observation Equations,
1912-1916
10
3
Plots for Correcting Mimas Elongation Measurements,
1912-1915
10
4
Saturn: Longitudes of Satellites,
1913-1914
10
5
Measures Mimas and Enceladus,
1915
10
6
Magnitudes of Saturn's Satellites,
Undated
10
7
Variability of Saturn's Satellites - Diagrams,
1914
10
8
Satellites of Saturn - Observed Coordinates with Respect to Primary,
1913-1914
10
9
Enlarged Drawing of Saturn,
1909
10
10
Saturn - Enlarged Drawing,
1910
10
11
Data for the Drawing of Saturn,
1912
10
12
Saturn, Enlarged Drawings, Alternative 1912 Version,
1912
10
13
Variability of Brightness of Prints and Drawings of Saturn's Satellites,
1913-1914
10
14
Saturn and Rings (Photographs) and Neptune Diagrams,
1907
10
15
Photos of Saturn Drawings by Lowell,
1915
10
16
Planet X and Transneptunian Planet Plates,
1904
10
17
Planet X Search Documents,
1905-1906
10
18
Planet X Computations, Gaillot and Refined, etc.,
1913
10
19
Longitude Perturbation Plots and Calculation for Planet X,
Undated
10
20
Planet X Computations and Proofs,
1905-1915
10
21
Mostly Planet X Final Computations and Proof,
1905-1915
10
22
Astronomical Calculations,
Undated
10
23
Plots with small scale Planet X plots (not to be used with Transneptunian planet),
Undated
10
24
MDL Lectures, Cosmic Physics - Nebulae and photos of nebulae,
1909
10
25
Longitudes of C.M. Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus,
1900-1907
10
26
Venus, copies of drawings by Lowell and others,
1896-1909
10
27
South Cap of Mars, Saturn and Uranus measurements,
1907
10
28
Satellites and Asteroids Libration,
1885-1910
10
29
Coded Comet Reports with Copy of Codebook,
1911
10
30
Nebulae - Miscellaneous Photos,
1901-1909
10
31
Leonid Meteor Shower,
1898
Box
Folders
11
1
Meteors: Relative Number at Sunrise and at Sunset,
Undated
11
2
Commensurate Periods of Planets,
1913
11
3
Notes on Planetary Evolution,
1916
11
4
Celestial Mechanics,
1904-1907
11
5
Miscellaneous Calculations, Rotation of Venus,
Undated
11
6
Venus, Miscellaneous measurements,
1903
11
7
Stars,
Undated
11
8
Spectrogram Analysis of Uranus,
1910
11
9
"Mercury" (City of Mexico),
1897
11
10
Zodiacal Light Negatives - Records,
1899-1901
11
11
The Effect of Chromatic Abberation in a Refractor,
1907
11
12
Zodiacal Light, Calculations,
1895-1897
11
13
List of Halley's Comet Reproductions, Reproductions sent for Lowell's Lectures, and notes on George Hamilton's paper,
1894-1916
11
14
Differential Equations - Comet Swarms,
1910
11
15
List of Transparencies, Lantern Slides, etc.,
1915-1918
Box
Folders
12
1
Early Reports on Astronomical Work in Arizona,
Undated
12
2
Printing Micrometer,
Undated
12
3
Arrangements of Data for Lowell Annals,
Undated
12
4
Solar Activity and Rainfall,
Undated
12
5
Our Neighbor's Seasons,
Undated
12
6
Notebook - Average Visibility Computations and Polar Cap Measures Reductions,
1896-1905
12
7
Schedule for Lowell's 1916 Lecture Trip,
1916
12
8
Percival Lowell's Last Observation Notes,
1916
Box
Folders
13
1
Mars - Photographs of Artificial Planets,
Undated
13
2
Catalogue of Astronomical Photos, Transparencies, Lantern Slides, and Prints on Paper for Sale,
1915
13
3
Pluto Photos and Drawings,
1930
13
4
Publication Drawings of Various Stars and Planets,
Undated
13
5
Lagoon Nebula Photos,
Undated
13
6
Various old photos,
1894-1917
Box
Folders
14
1
Mars Canal Drawing Negatives,
Undated
14
2
Mars Drawing Negative,
Undated
14
3
Mars Drawings, Photo Plate,
1909
14
4
Mars Drawing Negative, LCM 60 degrees,
Undated
14
5
Mars Drawing negative, 18 inch telescope, Volume 1 Record Book,
1894
14
6
Mars Globe Negtive,
1901
14
7
Mars Drawings,
1894
14
8
Lowell's Mars Maps Negatives,
1896-1905
14
9
Mars Drawing Negative, LCM 330 degrees,
Undated
14
10
Mars Plate and Pluto Drawing Comparison,
Undated
14
11
Mars Drawing Plates,
1909
14
12
Prints of Mars Globes,
1901-1914
14
13
Mars Drawings by Lowell,
1907
14
14
Mars as Drawn by Lowell,
1894
14
15
Mars Projection Maps,
1896-1905
14
16
Mars Maps (Globes),
1907
14
17-A
Mars Photos and Drawings,
1894-1922
14
17-B
Lampland-Lowell Photo and Drawing Comparison,
1905
14
18
Mars Drawings,
1904-1914
14
19
Mars Sketches,
1911-1912
14
20
Mars Drawings,
1903
14
21
Mars Sketches Photos,
1915-1916
14
22
Mini Mars Photos,
1917
14
23
Missing
,
14
24
Weekly Reports January 17th, 1910 - December 10th, 1910,
1910
14
25
Results of Measurements of Spectrographs of Mars and Moon,
1903
14
26
Schiaparelli Mars Maps,
1877-1886
14
27
Mars Sketches with Coordinates,
Undated
14
28
Bright Area in Elysium,
1901-1902
14
29
Mars - Opposition of 1894-1895,
1894-1895
14
30
Diagrams Used in Various Publications,
Undated
14
31
Mars Sketch Photos,
1894
Box
Folders
1 Large
1
Key Map of Mars,
Undated
1 Large
2
Color Sketch of Canals,
1905
1 Large
2-A
"Solar System" Originals of Cuts,
Undated
1 Large
3
Venus Drawings,
1909
1 Large
3-A
Map of Mars on Mercator's Projection, Notes in Red Ink,
1896-1905
1 Large
4
Drawings of Mars,
1905
1 Large
5
Mars Canals and Oases,
1907
1 Large
6
Jupiter Drawings by William Huggins,
1859-1860
1 Large
7
Observation Data, Including Mention of Two Asteroids,
Undated