Astronomer’s ashes nearing icy world he discovered: Pluto

This 1990 file photo shows Clyde Tombaugh in New York. On Tuesday, July 14, 2015, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, carrying a small canister with his ashes, is scheduled to pass within 7,800 miles of Pluto which he discovered 85 years ago. (AP Photo/Will Yurman) This 1990 file photo shows Clyde Tombaugh in New York. On Tuesday, July 14, 2015, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, carrying a small canister with his ashes, is scheduled to pass within 7,800 miles of Pluto which he discovered 85 years ago. (AP Photo/Will Yurman)

By Associated Press July 12, 2015 3 min read

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) – Come Tuesday, Clyde Tombaugh will pass within 7,800 miles of the icy world he discovered 85 years ago.

His ashes are flying on NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft on humanity’s first journey to Pluto.

New Horizons also is carrying a 1991 U.S. postage stamp that’s about to become obsolete – it trumpets “Pluto Not Yet Explored” – as well as two state quarters, one representing Florida, home of the launch site, and the other Maryland, headquarters for the spacecraft developers and flight control.

In all, nine small mementos are tucked aboard New Horizons.

There’s a good reason there are nine.