Who was Venetia Burney and what is she most famously known for?

Venetia Burney (1918–2009) was an English accountant and teacher. She is primarily remembered as the first person to suggest the name Pluto for the dwarf planet discovered by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930, a suggestion she made when she was 11 years old.

What were Venetia Burney's birth and death dates, and her age at death?

Venetia Burney was born on July 11, 1918, and died on April 30, 2009. She was 90 years old at the time of her death.

What was Venetia Burney's full birth name and her married name?

Her full birth name was Venetia Katharine Douglas Burney, and her married name was Phair.

Who discovered the dwarf planet Pluto, and when was it discovered?

The dwarf planet Pluto was discovered by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930. This discovery marked a significant moment in astronomical exploration.

What was Venetia Burney's familial connection to prominent figures at the University of Oxford and Eton College?

Venetia Burney was the daughter of Rev. Charles Fox Burney, who was the Oriel Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture at Oxford. She was also the granddaughter of Falconer Madan, the Librarian of Oxford's Bodleian Library. Additionally, her great-uncle, Henry Madan, a Science Master at Eton, had previously suggested names for the moons of Mars.

How did Venetia Burney become aware of the discovery of the new planet, and what was her immediate suggestion for its name?

Her grandfather, Falconer Madan, read about the new planet's discovery in The Times newspaper on March 14, 1930, and mentioned it to her. Venetia, who was 11 years old at the time, suggested the name Pluto, after the Roman god of the Underworld.

What was the reasoning behind Venetia Burney's suggestion of the name Pluto?

Venetia Burney suggested Pluto because it was the name of the Roman god of the Underworld, who possessed the power of invisibility. This mythological connection was considered fitting for a distant, newly discovered celestial body.

How was Venetia Burney's name suggestion for the new planet transmitted to the astronomers involved in its discovery?

Falconer Madan, Venetia's grandfather, forwarded her suggestion to astronomer Herbert Hall Turner. Turner then cabled the suggestion to his American colleagues at the Lowell Observatory, initiating the process of formal adoption.

Why did Clyde Tombaugh and his colleagues at Lowell Observatory find Venetia Burney's suggestion of Pluto particularly suitable?

Clyde Tombaugh liked the proposal because the name Pluto began with the initials P.L., which were also the initials of Percival Lowell. Lowell was an astronomer who had predicted the existence of 'Planet X,' which they believed might be the newly discovered planet.

When was the name Pluto officially adopted for the celestial body discovered by Clyde Tombaugh?

The name Pluto was formally adopted for the new celestial body on May 1, 1930, solidifying its identity in the astronomical community.

Has Venetia Burney's claim as the first person to propose the name Pluto been universally accepted?

No, the claim that she was definitively the first person to propose the name Pluto has been questioned on grounds of plausibility by some, although she is historically credited with the suggestion.

When did Venetia Burney's significant role in naming Pluto gain broader public recognition?

Although most news coverage at the time of Pluto's discovery did not mention her, her role was largely forgotten until a 1984 article in Sky & Telescope magazine publicized her contribution, bringing her story back to light.

What was Venetia Burney's educational background?

Venetia Burney received her education at Downe House School in Berkshire and later attended Newnham College, Cambridge, where she pursued studies in economics.

What were Venetia Burney's professional careers after completing her education?

After graduating, Venetia Burney qualified as a chartered accountant. She later embarked on a career as a teacher, instructing economics and mathematics at girls' schools in southwest London until her retirement in the 1980s.

Who was Venetia Burney married to, and what was his profession?

Venetia Burney was married to Edward Maxwell Phair. He was a classicist by profession and later served as a housemaster and head of English at Epsom College.

What were the dates of Venetia Burney's marriage to Edward Maxwell Phair?

Venetia Burney was married to Edward Maxwell Phair from 1947 until his death in 2006, marking a union of over five decades.

Where did Venetia Burney pass away, and what was the date of her death?

Venetia Burney died on April 30, 2009, in Banstead, Surrey, England, at the age of 90.

Where is Venetia Burney buried?

She was buried at Randalls Park Crematorium in Leatherhead, Surrey, England.

What was Venetia Burney's sentiment regarding Pluto's reclassification from a planet to a dwarf planet?

Shortly before Pluto's reclassification, Venetia Burney stated in an interview that she was largely indifferent to the debate but expressed a personal preference for Pluto to remain classified as a planet.

What celestial body and geographical feature on Pluto have been named in Venetia Burney's honor?

The asteroid 6235 Burney and the Burney impact basin on Pluto were named in her honor, recognizing her significant contribution to astronomy.

How was Venetia Burney honored by the New Horizons spacecraft mission?

In July 2015, the New Horizons spacecraft, which was the first to visit Pluto, carried an instrument named the Venetia Burney Student Dust Counter in her honor, acknowledging her legacy.

Who visited Venetia Burney to present her with mementos related to the New Horizons mission?

Mihaly Horanyi, the Principal Investigator for the Venetia Burney Student Dust Counter instrument, and Alan Stern visited Mrs. Phair at her home to present her with a plaque, certificate, and spacecraft model.

What is the origin of the name for the Massachusetts rock band 'The Venetia Fair'?

The rock band 'The Venetia Fair' derived its name from reading about Venetia Phair shortly after Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet, finding inspiration in her story.

What information is provided by the image caption for the photograph of Venetia Burney?

The image caption describes a head-and-shoulders, black and white photograph of Venetia Burney as a young girl, aged 11, around 1929. It notes she is wearing a light-colored blouse, facing right, looking out of the picture with a slight smile, and her short hair is pulled back from her face.

What academic subjects did Venetia Burney's father and husband specialize in?

Venetia Burney's father, Charles Fox Burney, was an Oriel Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture. Her husband, Edward Maxwell Phair, was a classicist, focusing on ancient languages and literature.

What was the profession of Venetia Burney's grandfather, Falconer Madan?

Falconer Madan, Venetia Burney's grandfather, served as the Librarian of the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford, a significant role in academic scholarship.

What specific role did Henry Madan, Venetia Burney's great-uncle, play in astronomical naming conventions?

Henry Madan, Venetia's great-uncle and Science Master at Eton, had previously suggested the names Phobos and Deimos for the moons of Mars in 1878, demonstrating a family history of involvement with astronomical nomenclature.

What was the name of the school Venetia Burney attended in Berkshire?

Venetia Burney attended Downe House School in Berkshire, a notable girls' boarding school.

What subjects did Venetia Burney teach after becoming a chartered accountant?

After her career as an accountant, Venetia Burney became a teacher of economics and mathematics at girls' schools in southwest London.

In which crematorium and county was Venetia Burney laid to rest?

Venetia Burney was buried at Randalls Park Crematorium in Leatherhead, Surrey, England.

What is the significance of the name 'Tombaugh Regio' in relation to Pluto's geography?

Tombaugh Regio, often referred to as 'The Heart' of Pluto, is a significant geographical region on the dwarf planet. This region is named in honor of Clyde Tombaugh, the astronomer who discovered Pluto.

What astronomical bodies are listed within the 'Pluto' navbox, besides Pluto itself?

The Pluto navbox lists Pluto's moons: Charon, Styx, Nix, Kerberos, and Hydra. It also mentions the asteroid 6235 Burney and the Burney crater on Pluto.

What is the name of the instrument on the New Horizons spacecraft that was named in honor of Venetia Burney?

The instrument on the New Horizons spacecraft named in honor of Venetia Burney is the Venetia Burney Student Dust Counter, recognizing her connection to the dwarf planet.

What specific geographical features on Pluto are mentioned in the navbox, and which one is named after Venetia Burney?

The navbox lists various geographical features on Pluto, including regions like Tombaugh Regio ('The Heart'), plains like Sputnik Planitia, mountains such as Wright Mons, and valleys like Adlivun Cavus. The crater named in Venetia Burney's honor is simply called Burney.

What does the 'Authority control databases' section indicate about Venetia Burney's international and national identifiers?

The Authority control section lists international identifiers such as ISNI, VIAF, and WorldCat for Venetia Burney. It also notes a United States Library of Congress authority record (number n2018039163) associated with her, providing standardized cataloging information.

What was the name of the publication where Venetia Burney's grandfather first read about the discovery of the new planet?

Venetia Burney's grandfather, Falconer Madan, first read about the discovery of the new planet in The Times newspaper.

What specific academic field did Venetia Burney study at Newnham College, Cambridge?

Venetia Burney studied economics at Newnham College, Cambridge, during the years 1938-1941.

What was the name of the astronomical observatory where the discovery of Pluto was made?

The discovery of Pluto was made at the Lowell Observatory, an institution dedicated to astronomical research.

What is the mythological significance of the name Pluto?

Pluto is the name of the Roman god of the Underworld, who possessed the power of invisibility, a characteristic that resonated with the nature of the distant planet.

What is the nickname given to Tombaugh Regio on Pluto?

Tombaugh Regio on Pluto is nicknamed 'The Heart,' referring to its distinctive shape visible in images.

Besides the asteroid 6235 Burney, what other celestial feature is named in her honor?

The Burney impact basin on Pluto is also named in her honor, further cementing her legacy in planetary science.

What was the name of the publication that brought Venetia Burney's role in naming Pluto back into public attention in 1984?

The publication that brought Venetia Burney's role in naming Pluto back into public attention in 1984 was Sky & Telescope magazine.

What was the name of the institution where Venetia Burney's husband, Edward Maxwell Phair, worked as a housemaster and head of English?

Edward Maxwell Phair worked as a housemaster and head of English at Epsom College.

What were the two main academic subjects Venetia Burney taught during her career as a teacher?

Venetia Burney taught economics and mathematics at girls' schools.

What is the significance of the initials P.L. in relation to the naming of Pluto?

The initials P.L. were significant because they were the first two letters of Percival Lowell's name, who had predicted the existence of Planet X, and Pluto's proposed name started with these initials, honoring his work.

What is the name of the specific region on Pluto that includes Safronov, Sharaf, Harrington, Vucub-Came, Hun-Came, and Meng-p'o?

These locations are part of the region on Pluto known as 'Brass Knuckles,' a distinct geographical area identified on the dwarf planet's surface.

What is the name of the plain on Pluto mentioned in the navbox?

The plain mentioned on Pluto is Sputnik Planitia, a large, relatively smooth area.

What is the name of the valley or depression on Pluto mentioned in the navbox?

The valley or depression mentioned on Pluto is Adlivun Cavus, representing a geological feature on its surface.

What are the names of Pluto's five known moons listed in the navbox?

Pluto's five known moons listed are Charon, Styx, Nix, Kerberos, and Hydra.

What does the term 'Plutino' refer to in the context of celestial bodies?

A 'Plutino' refers to a type of trans-Neptunian object that shares a 2:3 orbital resonance with Neptune, meaning it completes three orbits around the Sun for every two Neptune completes. Pluto itself is the archetype of this orbital class.

What is the Kuiper Belt, and how does it relate to Pluto?

The Kuiper Belt is a region of the outer solar system beyond Neptune that contains numerous icy bodies, including dwarf planets like Pluto. Pluto is considered a prominent member of the Kuiper Belt, residing within this vast celestial structure.

Venetia Burney Wiki: Cosmic Naming: The Venetia Burney Chronicle

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Biography

Family and Early Life

Venetia Katharine Douglas Burney was born on July 11, 1918. She was the daughter of Rev. Charles Fox Burney, a distinguished Oriel Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture at Oxford University, and Ethel Wordsworth Burney (née Madan). Her maternal grandfather was Falconer Madan, the esteemed Librarian of the Bodleian Library at Oxford. This academic lineage provided a rich intellectual environment during her formative years.

Education and Career

Burney received her education at Downe House School in Berkshire and subsequently attended Newnham College, Cambridge, where she pursued studies in Economics from 1938 to 1941. Following her graduation, she embarked on a professional career, qualifying as a chartered accountant. Later in life, she transitioned to teaching, imparting her knowledge of economics and mathematics at girls' schools in southwest London until her retirement in the 1980s.

Personal Life

In 1947, Venetia married Edward Maxwell Phair. Her husband, a classicist by training, later served as a housemaster and Head of English at Epsom College. Their marriage lasted until his passing in 2006. Venetia Burney Phair passed away on April 30, 2009, at the age of 90, in Banstead, Surrey, England. She was interred at Randalls Park Crematorium in Leatherhead.

The Naming of Pluto

A Child's Insight

The pivotal moment occurred on March 14, 1930. Falconer Madan, Venetia's grandfather, read about the recent discovery of a new celestial body by Clyde Tombaugh at the Lowell Observatory in The Times. He shared this news with his 11-year-old granddaughter. It was Venetia who proposed the name "Pluto," drawing inspiration from the Roman god of the Underworld, known for his ability to become invisible. This suggestion was deemed fitting for a distant, dimly lit world.

Transmitting the Suggestion

Falconer Madan promptly forwarded Venetia's suggestion to astronomer Herbert Hall Turner at Oxford. Turner, in turn, relayed the proposal to his colleagues at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona. The name resonated particularly well with Clyde Tombaugh, as "Pluto" began with the initials "P.L.," honoring Percival Lowell, the astronomer who had theorized the existence of a ninth planet (often referred to as Planet X).

Formal Adoption

On May 1, 1930, the name Pluto was officially adopted for the newly discovered celestial body. While historical accounts credit Venetia Burney as the originator of the name, some scholars have questioned the plausibility of an 11-year-old independently conceiving such a specific mythological connection. Nevertheless, she received widespread recognition for her contribution. Her role, largely overlooked in initial news coverage, was brought back into public focus by a 1984 article in Sky & Telescope magazine.

Enduring Legacy

Celestial Honors

Venetia Burney's unique contribution to planetary nomenclature has been recognized through several astronomical honors. The asteroid 6235 Burney, discovered in 1981, bears her name. Furthermore, the prominent impact basin known as Burney on Pluto's surface is also named in her honor. These celestial landmarks serve as constant reminders of her connection to the dwarf planet.

The New Horizons Mission

In a poignant tribute, the Venetia Burney Student Dust Counter (VBSDC) instrument aboard NASA's New Horizons spacecraft was named in her honor. This instrument was crucial for collecting data during the spacecraft's historic flyby of Pluto in July 2015. Mihaly Horanyi, the Principal Investigator for the VBSDC, along with Alan Stern, visited Mrs. Phair at her home to present her with a plaque, certificate, and a model of the spacecraft, acknowledging her legacy just months before her passing.

Cultural Resonance

The story of Venetia Burney and her role in naming Pluto also found resonance in popular culture. The American rock band "The Venetia Fair" adopted their name after learning about her contribution shortly after Pluto's reclassification as a dwarf planet. This demonstrates how her unique place in astronomical history continues to inspire.

References

Source Material

The information presented on this page is derived from the following sources:

Daily Telegraph obituary, May 5, 2009.
The Observatory journal, Vol. 53, July 1930.
BBC News article, "The girl who named a planet," January 13, 2006.
Language Log commentary, August 27, 2006.
Vox article, "How a 12-year-old girl gave Pluto its name," July 10, 2015.
Newnham College Register, Vol II, 1981.
The New York Times obituary, May 10, 2009.
Los Angeles Times article, May 11, 2009.
NASA JPL Small-Body Database Browser.
The Guardian article, "Pluto: dwarf planet's surface features given first official names," September 8, 2017.
NASA news release, "Pluto-Bound Science Instrument Renamed for Girl Who Named Ninth Planet," June 30, 2006.
spaceref.com article, "New Horizons Team Remembers Venetia Phair," May 8, 2009.
Neck Deep Media interview, "Exclusive Interview: The Venetia Fair."

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References

Geoff Nunberg. Another Plutonian casualty? Language Log. 27 August 2006.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Venetia Burney Wikipedia page

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This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence system and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The content is synthesized from publicly available data, primarily from Wikipedia, and may not represent the most current or exhaustive information available.

This is not professional astronomical or scientific advice. The information provided herein should not substitute for consultation with qualified experts in astronomy, planetary science, or related fields. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy based on the source material, the creators assume no responsibility for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented.

The Girl Who Named a Planet

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✉️ Transmitting the Suggestion

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Enduring Legacy 🌌

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Biography

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Personal Life

The Naming of Pluto

A Child's Insight

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Enduring Legacy

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Cultural Resonance

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