Plumber's Backyard Observatory Sparked a Meeting With Einstein

Leo Scanlon founded the Valley View Observatory in Pittsburgh in 1930, a backyard facility that drew attention from amateur astronomers across the United States. Its low-cost build and distinctive aluminium dome helped it gain a following among hobbyists. In 1934, Scanlon met Albert Einstein, who praised the spirit of amateur science. The observatory's contribution to astronomy was later recognized when asteroid 8131 was named 'Scanlon' in its honor.