Hometown of Pluto discovery dedicates year to icy world

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - Pluto has taken on new prominence this year in the northern Arizona city where it was discovered.

Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff has dedicated 2015 to celebrating one of its most popular attractions and the amateur astronomer who spotted it 85 years ago.

The celebration comes as NASA's New Horizons spacecraft completes a nine-year journey to the icy world in July, beaming new images back to Earth.

Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930. The attention that followed meant Flagstaff would be known for more than the railroad and timber.

A Flagstaff sushi restaurant introduced a Pluto roll this year. A walking tour in May will go to the restaurant, a former post office and a downtown theater that Tombaugh visited the day of Pluto's discovery.