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Tom and Jennifer Polakis | profile | all galleries >> 2009 >> Robert Burnham Jr. Memorial tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Robert Burnham Jr. Memorial

This gallery documents the efforts and collaboration of amateur and professional astronomers in establishing a Robert Burnham Jr. monument at Lowell Observatory. It starts with Tony Ortega's 1997 article in Phoenix NewTimes that brought Burnham's story to light & Mike Gilmer's August 2006 suggestion on "Cloudy Nights" to memorialize Burnham then moves on to designing a plaque and finding a site & boulder at Lowell Observatory then finally on to the celebration and unveiling on August 15, 2009. FEB.22 2010--Burnham scholarship to be awarded May27,2010 by Lowell Director. June 2010--Dr. Eileen Friel resigns after one year as Lowell Observatory Director. June 2011--Tony Ortega, VillageVoice Editor runs unabridged version of Mr. Burnham's 1982 Astronomy magazine auto-interview on his blog. Part 1: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/06/robert_burnham_j.php & Part 2: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/06/robert_burnham_j_1.php 2015: Scholarship recipient Halley DeLong discovered volunteering at Lowell Obs.!!!
Tony Ortega's Sept. 1997 article in the Phoenix NewTimes: www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1997-09-25/news/sky-writer/
Tony Ortega's Sept. 1997 article in the Phoenix NewTimes: www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1997-09-25/news/sky-writer/		 Mike Gilmer AKA Glassthrower suggests a Burnham Memorial on August 2006's CloudyNightsamateur astronomer forums.
Mike Gilmer AKA Glassthrower suggests a Burnham Memorial on August 2006's "CloudyNights"amateur astronomer forums.		 Scoping out a site for the memorial, 2006 Lowell Observatory
Scoping out a site for the memorial, 2006 Lowell Observatory		 Group Photo from December 2006 Rotunda at Lowell Observatory
Group Photo from December 2006 Rotunda at Lowell Observatory
Bruce & Norm Thomas, Donna & Viola Courtney warming up in Lowell's library.
Bruce & Norm Thomas, Donna & Viola Courtney warming up in Lowell's library.		 This building houses the Pluto Scope, an astrograph where Burnham photo'd the sky for the Proper Motion Survey
This building houses the Pluto Scope, an astrograph where Burnham photo'd the sky for the Proper Motion Survey		 It ends up that this guy points the way to the Burnham Memorial!
It ends up that this guy points the way to the Burnham Memorial!		 Pluto Telescope-the Astrograph that helped discover Pluto and where Burnham and Norm Thomas spent many nights photoing the sky.
Pluto Telescope-the Astrograph that helped discover Pluto and where Burnham and Norm Thomas spent many nights photoing the sky.
Burnham's co-worker on the Proper Motion Survey, Norm Thomas&Brian Skiff, Research Astronomer at Lowell Observatory
Burnham's co-worker on the Proper Motion Survey, Norm Thomas&Brian Skiff, Research Astronomer at Lowell Observatory		 Entry from Pluto-scope logbook,look for Burnham's initials.
Entry from Pluto-scope logbook,look for Burnham's initials.		 More site scouting June 2007 MaryKeller(Jenn's daughter), JennPolakis, BrianSkiff, the 24 Clark Refractor@Lowell
More site scouting June 2007 MaryKeller(Jenn's daughter), JennPolakis, BrianSkiff, the 24" Clark Refractor@Lowell		 Prospective memorial site on the Clark Scope path
Prospective memorial site on the Clark Scope path
Plaque size upper limit--Betty Pickard Grove, Lowell Observatory
Plaque size upper limit--Betty Pickard Grove, Lowell Observatory		 Page from Burnham's-trying to make the plaque in the same style.
Page from Burnham's-trying to make the plaque in the same style.		 Early concept for memorial plaque
Early concept for memorial plaque		 Burnham at the Pluto astrograph scope--photo used on the plaque
Burnham at the Pluto astrograph scope--photo used on the plaque
18x24 version of plaque--exceeded size limit
18x24" version of plaque--exceeded size limit		 Later version of plaque 12x18 approved!
Later version of plaque 12x18" approved!		 Final design--finally!
Final design--finally!		 Taking the plaque on road trips...
Taking the plaque on road trips...
Plaque at Bouse Wash....
Plaque at Bouse Wash....		 at Quartzsite,AZ....
at Quartzsite,AZ....		 at Kofa observing site on Jenn's scope...
at Kofa observing site on Jenn's scope...		 Tomb of Hi Jolly, Quartzsite, AZ...
Tomb of Hi Jolly, Quartzsite, AZ...
at SaguaroAstronomyClub's public Thunderbird Star Party--Rick Tejera and
at SaguaroAstronomyClub's public Thunderbird Star Party--Rick Tejera and		 Bill and Susan Trask
Bill and Susan Trask		 Burnham plaque at Pierre Schwaar's gravesite, National Memorial Cemetery Phoenix AZ
Burnham plaque at Pierre Schwaar's gravesite, National Memorial Cemetery Phoenix AZ		 Boulder scouting--Tom of Mountain Stone Works and Dr. Millis,Director Emeritus of Lowell Mars Hill May 2009
Boulder scouting--Tom of Mountain Stone Works and Dr. Millis,Director Emeritus of Lowell Mars Hill May 2009
Memorial in place! On the Pluto Walk between Jupiter and Saturn May 29, 2009 Lowell Blog Entry
Memorial in place! On the Pluto Walk between Jupiter and Saturn May 29, 2009 Lowell Blog Entry		 Tom Polakis, Mike & Ortrun Collins, Tony and Fatimah Ortega before driving to the Burnham Celebration, August 15, 2009
Tom Polakis, Mike & Ortrun Collins, Tony and Fatimah Ortega before driving to the Burnham Celebration, August 15, 2009		 We stopped by to see the progress on the Discovery Channel/Lowell Scope. Fatimah & Tony Ortega and
We stopped by to see the progress on the Discovery Channel/Lowell Scope. Fatimah & Tony Ortega and		 Mike Collins and his daughter Ortrun
Mike Collins and his daughter Ortrun
Welcome to Lowell Observatory (photo courtesy of Chris&Karen Hanrahan)
Welcome to Lowell Observatory (photo courtesy of Chris&Karen Hanrahan)		 The Program--let me know if you'd like a copy mailed to you--M24@cox.net
The Program--let me know if you'd like a copy mailed to you--M24@cox.net		 The Celebration/Memorial Unveiling... Kevin Schindler, Lowell Obs. Outreach Manager emceed
The Celebration/Memorial Unveiling... Kevin Schindler, Lowell Obs. Outreach Manager emceed		 Lowell Observatory's new Director Dr. Eileen Friel--owned a set of Burnham's since grad school!
Lowell Observatory's new Director Dr. Eileen Friel--owned a set of Burnham's since grad school!
Donna Courtney reads her Uncle's poem from the preface of Volume I
Donna Courtney reads her Uncle's poem from the preface of Volume I		 Tom Polakis with his 30 year old set of Burnham's--has observed every object in the Celestial Handbooks down to -50degrees.
Tom Polakis with his 30 year old set of Burnham's--has observed every object in the Celestial Handbooks down to -50degrees.		 Jennifer Polakis--got the memorial project off the ground with a lot of help.
Jennifer Polakis--got the memorial project off the ground with a lot of help.		 Tony Ortega--a history of the investigation and discovery of Robert Burnham Jr.s final years.
Tony Ortega--a history of the investigation and discovery of Robert Burnham Jr.s final years.
Norm Thomas, worked with Burnham many years on the Proper Motion Survey @ Lowell &
Norm Thomas, worked with Burnham many years on the Proper Motion Survey @ Lowell &		 Norm's son, Bruce Thomas a good friend of Burnham's &
Norm's son, Bruce Thomas a good friend of Burnham's &		 Page from Burnham's--Bruce is playing on the beach.
Page from Burnham's--Bruce is playing on the beach.		 Nat White a colleague, neighbor and friend of Burnham reminesces
Nat White a colleague, neighbor and friend of Burnham reminesces
Presentation of scholarship and set of Burnham's to Prescott High School--Burnham's alma matter
Presentation of scholarship and set of Burnham's to Prescott High School--Burnham's alma matter		 Celebration moves to the Memorial--Lowell Blog Entry #2
Celebration moves to the Memorial--Lowell Blog Entry #2		 Kevin Schindler by veiled monument.
Kevin Schindler by veiled monument.		 Dr. Friel and Donna Courtney unveiling...
Dr. Friel and Donna Courtney unveiling...
the
the		 Robert Burnham Jr. Monument at Lowell Observatory. (unveiling photos courtesy of C&K Hanrahan)
Robert Burnham Jr. Monument at Lowell Observatory. (unveiling photos courtesy of C&K Hanrahan)		 Burnham's sister Viola Courtney, Tony Ortega, Niece Donna Courtney, Nat White,Norm&BruceThomas, JennPolakis at the memorial
Burnham's sister Viola Courtney, Tony Ortega, Niece Donna Courtney, Nat White,Norm&BruceThomas, JennPolakis at the memorial		 Burnham's Sister Viola Courtney, Tony Ortega, Neice Donna Courtney and Lowell Director, Dr. Friel
Burnham's Sister Viola Courtney, Tony Ortega, Neice Donna Courtney and Lowell Director, Dr. Friel
Viola Courtney, Tony Ortega, Donna Courtney reading the plaque
Viola Courtney, Tony Ortega, Donna Courtney reading the plaque		 Viola Courtney
Viola Courtney		 Donna and Viola Courtney
Donna and Viola Courtney		 Brian Skiff
Brian Skiff
Dr. Eileen Friel, Director Lowell Observatory
Dr. Eileen Friel, Director Lowell Observatory		 Karen & Chris Hanrahan--Thanks for the photos Gunkie&Nenen!
Karen & Chris Hanrahan--Thanks for the photos Gunkie&Nenen!		 The Honorable Paul Lind, long-time SAC member
The Honorable Paul Lind, long-time SAC member		 Group Photo at dinner after the celebration...
Group Photo at dinner after the celebration...
from the other end of the table.
from the other end of the table.		 Lowell Observer Issue #84, Fall 2009
Lowell Observer Issue #84, Fall 2009		 Burnham's niece, Donna Courtney joins us for a night of observing. AZ City site, Messier Marathon March 13, 2010
Burnham's niece, Donna Courtney joins us for a night of observing. AZ City site, Messier Marathon March 13, 2010		 On May 27, 2010 We went to Prescott High School's Scholarship and Award Presentation. Here is the certificate we made...
On May 27, 2010 We went to Prescott High School's Scholarship and Award Presentation. Here is the certificate we made...
and here are a couple more from...
and here are a couple more from...		 Prescott High School
Prescott High School		 Dr. Eileen Friel, Director Lowell Observatory presents Haley Morgan DeLong the Burnham Scholarship
Dr. Eileen Friel, Director Lowell Observatory presents Haley Morgan DeLong the Burnham Scholarship		 Haley with proud parents.
Haley with proud parents.
Dr. Friel resigns after 1 year as Lowell director. AZ Daily Sun Article June 11, 2010
Dr. Friel resigns after 1 year as Lowell director. AZ Daily Sun Article June 11, 2010		 Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, Oct. 2012
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, Oct. 2012		 Haley DeLong, 2015
Haley DeLong, 2015		 Haley writes a bit about what she's been doing...
Haley writes a bit about what she's been doing...

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raghu 24-Sep-2015 18:21
FInally, I found this page dedicated to Robert Burnham Jr. I am thankful that I happened to own a set of his Celestial handbook volumes and also have read his writings in Astronomy magazine.
Even now I enjoy his work and imagine him by my side (as an author and mentor). I have followed astrnomy and astrophysics since my childhood in India.

A great soul he was and unfortunately none understood him during his days! I humbly thank the member(s) who created this page and gave us an opportunity to pay our tributes to Mr. Burnham Jr.

Thanks every one and Regards,
vuhxblsh@gmail.com 29-Aug-2013 07:38
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David Goldhirsch 14-May-2011 01:04
I was shocked terribly to learn about the later years of Robert Burnham, Jr., having spent hundreds of hours engrossed in his glorius Celestial Handbook. His comfort and his pleasure at having a place in the world of professional astronomy is apparent in every page. I have read the poems, enjoyed the numismatics, and I have reveled in his descriptions of so many interesting phenomena. I had hoped to meet him one day, or to read with pleasure of his professional achievements. Instead, I found that within a year of the publication of the later edition of the C.E., his world crashed around him. I visited Lowell Observatory once around 1995--it one of the highlights of my adult life--and I am pleased greatly to know that there is a memorial now for Mr. Burnham there. I am very grateful to those who made the memorial for Mr. Burnham, and although I will not often be able to come to that part of the country I will (yes, really) sleep a little better knowing that the plaque is there in that lovely, wonderful place. Please accept my deep gratitude for your kindness.
James Paulson 17-Sep-2010 19:08
I can't help but think of how wonderful it is to recognize this fascinating man with this dedication. He was a hero of mine many years ago, and although his life story is tragic it is also very touching. Nobody can argue that he didn't make a difference with his life's work.
Rick Warburton 28-Dec-2009 17:50
A very grand and proper tribute to a man whose work survives the ages..
Alan in Massachusetts 13-Sep-2009 17:18
What a wonderful thing to see. I had the Ortega article pointed out to me and now this. It is so sad the Bob Burnham didn't seem to grasp how much his works meant to so many of us who love the night skies.
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