For Jerry and Martha Masinton, it was a discovery of astronomical proportions.

They lived in their house at 709 Miss. for 33 years before learning last month it was once home to Clyde Tombaugh, who discovered the planet Pluto and was a Kansas University student in the 1930s.

As the world celebrates the 75th anniversary of Pluto’s discovery today, the Masintons hope to generate new interest in the astronomer among his Old West Lawrence neighbors.

“I was delighted to hear it, because we love this house and the historical associations of all this part of town,” Jerry Masinton said. “We’re just happy we can live in this house. We’ve done a pretty good job of keeping it up, and now we’ll try to do even more to make sure it’s passed on to our kids or the next generation.”

Tombaugh, who grew up on a farm near the western Kansas town of Burdett, discovered Pluto on Feb. 18, 1930, while working at the Lowell Observatory near Flagstaff, Ariz. He was only 24 at the time.

He decided he needed a college degree to make his mark in astronomy, and KU recruited him to Lawrence. Tombaugh received his bachelor’s degree in 1936 and his master’s degree in 1939.

Norah Murphy, who lives on the same block as Masinton, knew the 75th anniversary of Pluto’s discovery was approaching, and next year is the centennial of Tombaugh’s birth. She thought Tombaugh had lived in the neighborhood but didn’t know for sure.

“It was a rumor that had circulated,” she said. “I thought we’ve got to do something, with the 75th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of his birth, to figure out this urban legend.”

Steve Shawl, a physics and astronomy professor at KU who has researched Tombaugh’s life, provided the confirmation that Tombaugh indeed rented a room from the house’s owners while living in Lawrence. Shawl had spoken with Patsy Tombaugh, Clyde’s widow. The couple met while at KU.

Jerry and Martha Masinton found out last month that Clyde Tombaugh, the astronomer and former Kansas University student who discovered the planet Pluto, used to live in their house at 709 Miss. The Masintons want to have the house listed on the state's register of historic places.

“I’m very excited to have a celebrity in the neighborhood,” Murphy said.

Masinton said he planned to do more research on the house, which was built in the 1870s, and Tombaugh’s ties to it. He already has started completing paperwork to have the house listed on the state’s register of historic places.

“We’re going to try to get some type of plaque or monument and put it in the yard,” he said. “I have no idea what that is yet. It’s just an idea.”

Neighbors also are gathering tonight for a presentation on Pluto and Tombaugh at Murphy’s house. Barbara Anthony-Twarog, another professor of physics and astronomy at KU, will talk about the ninth planet, which some claim isn’t a planet at all but just an icy mass.

“I think it’s probably still in the matter-of-opinion stage,” she said. “In some ways, it’s an emotional issue. Nobody wants to unlearn information that fundamental. The story has appeal — a young man of his origins making a discovery. It’s an inspiring story, and nobody wanted to devalue that.”

Pluto still mystery 75 years after discovery (02-14-05) KU.edu: History of the Astronomy Program Wikipedia.org: Pluto

And that, Anthony-Twarog said, is why it’s important for people in Lawrence to remember the astronomer’s roots.

“I think that’s a really charming effort, for people in the neighborhood to celebrate Tombaugh,” she said.