American astronomer (1906–1997) best known for discovering Pluto in 1930. Terrific and interesting ALS, one page with his affixed personal address label, 8.5 x 11, no date [circa 1980s–1990s]. Tombaugh writes to Rick Bartley at the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. In part: “There are several attempted explanations of the ‘Christmas Star.’ Computing backward, there was a close apparent conjunction of several planets about that time (7 B.C.?). There is dispute as to the year Christ was born…. Any satellite object in synchronous revolution with the Earth’s rotation, would swing north to south … during each revolution, because Israel is not on the equator…. Some people become obsessed with miracles and the Christmas Star may only be a myth. The ‘face on Mars’ is only an accidental configuration of markings, like the face of the man in the moon. I get hundreds of requests for autographed pictures of me. I cannot cope with this problem.” In fine condition. R&R COA.
