IU Alumni Vesto Melvin Slipher (B.A. 1901, M.A. 1903, Ph.D. 1909) and his brother Earl Carl Slipher (B.A. 1906) have been inducted into the Frankfort High School Hot Dog Hall of Fame for their contributions to astronomy. V. M Slipher graduated from Frankfort High in 1897 and E. C. Slipher graduated in 1902. The induction ceremony took place at Frankfort High School on July 29, 2023.
V.M. Slipher studied under IU Professor William Cogshall, who arranged for him to work as an assistant to Percival Lowell at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. V. M Slipher is known for spectroscopy of spiral nebulae that served to establish the expansion of the Universe. He served as Director of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, AZ, from 1926 until 1952.
E.C. Slipher also worked at Lowell Observatory on planetary astronomy and developed techniques for measuring the brightness of planets and stars with photographic plates. He was best known for his work on Mars. E. C. Slipher also served as mayor of Flagstaff and later served in the Arizona House of Representatives and Senate representing Coconino County.
The crater Slipher on the Moon was named to honor the brothers, and Frank Edmondson (B.A. 1937) named the Indiana Asteroid 1766 Slipher in their honor.
Vesto Melvin and Earl Carl Slipher
Image Credit – Lowell Observatory Library and Archives
The College of Arts