| V. M. Slipher AKA Vesto Melvin Slipher Born: 11-Nov-1875
Birthplace: Mulberry, IN
Died: 8-Nov-1969
Location of death: Flagstaff, AZ
Cause of death: unspecified
Remains: Buried, Citizens Cemetery, Flagstaff, AZ
Gender: Male
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Astronomer Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Interstellar dust Astronomer V. M. Slipher discovered the rotations of the spiral nebulae in 1913, the first substantial evidence of a perpetually expanding universe, and he was the first astronomer to measure the spirals' radial velocities. He discovered reflection nebulae, and demonstrated the existence of pulverulent matter, now called interstellar dust. He also discovered the presence of methane in Neptune's atmosphere, made spectrographs of the atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus, and oversaw the "Planet X" project, which culminated in the discovery of Pluto. Chronically shy, he rarely attended astronomers' gatherings, and instead had his papers read by others at such events. His brother, astronomer Earl Carl Slipher, was Mayor of Flagstaff, Arizona from 1918-20. Father: Daniel Clark Slipher (farmer)
Mother: Hannah App Slipher (farmer)
Brother: Earl Carl Slipher (astronomer, b. 25-Mar-1883, d. 7-Aug-1964)
Wife: Emma Rosalie Munger Slipher (b. 1872, m. 1-Jan-1904, d. 1962, two children)
Son: David Clark Slipher (b. 1911, d. 2000)
Daughter: Marcia Frances Slipher Nicholson
High School: Frankfort High School, Frankfort, IN (1894)
University: BA Mechanics & Astronomy, Indiana University (1901)
University: MA Astronomy, Indiana University (1903)
University: PhD Astronomy, Indiana University (1909)
Scholar: Lowell Observatory (1901-16)
Administrator: Director, Lowell Observatory (1916-54)
Bruce Medal 1935
Royal Astronomical Society Gold Medal 1933
Henry Draper Medal 1932
Lalande Prize 1919
American Association for the Advancement of Science
National Academy of Sciences
National Research Council
Lunar Crater Slipher
Martian Crater Slipher (jointly named for Slipher and his brother)
Asteroid Namesake 1766 Slipher (jointly named for Slipher and his brother)
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