Robert Burnham Jr. was an astronomer at Lowell Observatory, best known for his Celestial Handbook, the premier observing and research guide to the stars, nebulae, and galaxies beyond our solar system. Born in Chicago, his family moved to Arizona in 1940. Robert graduated from Prescott, AZ High School in 1949, enlisted in the Air Force, and eventually found employment at Lowell Observatory. After achieving some fame by discovering a comet by himself in 1957, he came to the attention of the Lowell astronomers, where he ended up working for over 20 years. After his controversial departure from Lowell, Robert spent his remaining years as an itinerant, living off the royalties from his book. Eventually he ended up in San Diego, CA where he passed away in relative obscurity.
Military Information: A1C, US AIR FORCE
Military Information: A1C, US AIR FORCE
Robert Burnham Jr. was an astronomer at Lowell Observatory, best known for his Celestial Handbook, the premier observing and research guide to the stars, nebulae, and galaxies beyond our solar system. Born in Chicago, his family moved to Arizona in 1940. Robert graduated from Prescott, AZ High School in 1949, enlisted in the Air Force, and eventually found employment at Lowell Observatory. After achieving some fame by discovering a comet by himself in 1957, he came to the attention of the Lowell astronomers, where he ended up working for over 20 years. After his controversial departure from Lowell, Robert spent his remaining years as an itinerant, living off the royalties from his book. Eventually he ended up in San Diego, CA where he passed away in relative obscurity.
Military Information: A1C, US AIR FORCE
Military Information: A1C, US AIR FORCE
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