Origins & Early Life

Michael E. Brown (born June 5, 1965) is an American astronomer, who has been professor of planetary astronomy at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) since 2003. His team has discovered many trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs), including the dwarf planet Eris, which was originally thought to be bigger than Pluto, triggering a debate on the definition of a planet. He has been referred to by himself and by others as the man who "killed Pluto", because he furthered Pluto's being downgraded to a dwarf planet in the aftermath of his discovery of Eris and several other probable trans-Neptunian dwarf planets.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He is the author of How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming, published in 2010. He was awarded the Kavli Prize (shared with Jane Luu and David C. Jewitt) in 2012 "for discovering and characterizing the Kuiper belt and its largest members, work that led to a major advance in the understanding of the history of our planetary system." Brown was raised in Huntsville, Alabama, and graduated from Virgil I. Grissom High School in 1983. He earned his A.B.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

degree in physics from Princeton University in 1987, where he was a member of the Tower Club. Brown...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aamir Khan — Contemporary (Born in 1965) (1965): Iconic Indian actor and filmmaker, known for his dedication to cinematic perfection.
• Albert Schweitzer — Contemporary (Died in 1965) (1965): German polymath renowned for theology, music, and 'Reverence for Life'
• Andrea M. Ghez — Contemporary (Born in 1965) (1965): Pioneering astrophysicist known for studying the Milky Way's central black hole.
• Alan Bond — Shared historical date (06-05 · Died) (2015): Australian businessman known for high-profile dealings, the America's Cup, and founding Bond University.
• Bill Tilden — Shared historical date (06-05 · Died) (1953): Dominant American tennis star, 'Big Bill', known for 14 Major singles titles.
• Arthur M. Schlesinger Sr. — Historical peer (Died in 1965) (1965): Pioneering American historian known for social and urban history.
• Bashar al-Assad — Historical peer (Born in 1965) (1965): Former President of Syria, known for his authoritarian rule and role in the Syrian Civil War.
• Alberto Sordi — Historical peer (Died in 2003) (2003): Pillar of Italian Cinema, master of Commedia all'italiana comedy.
• Althea Gibson — Historical peer (Died in 2003) (2003): Pioneering American tennis and golf star who broke racial barriers in sports.
• Ali Hassan al-Majid — Historical peer (Died in 2010) (2010): Notorious Iraqi military figure, cousin of Saddam Hussein, known for brutal repression.
• 1965 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1965
• June 5 (06-05) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on June 5