Lowell, Percival (1855-1916), an American astronomer, became known for his belief in the possibility of life on Mars and in the existence of canals there.
Lowell was born on March 13, 1855, in Boston, Massachusetts. He began his career as a businessman. Soon, however, his interests turned to astronomy. In 1894, he completed the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. He wrote several books, which had wider popular appeal than scientific value. In 1905, his studies led him to try to predict the discovery of a planet beyond Neptune. He died on Nov. 12, 1916. The dwarf planet Pluto was first detected at the Lowell Observatory after his death. 
See also Alien life.
