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Amazing picture of the New Horizons spacecraft, which we see Pluto’s atmosphere illuminated from behind by the sun , amazed scientists both beauty and what it says about the atmosphere of the dwarf planet.
– My jaw dropped when I saw the first picture the atmosphere in the Kuiper Belt – said at the conference, NASA Alan Stern, a researcher with the New Horizons mission. The Kuiper belt is a region of the solar system extending beyond the orbit of Neptune, similar to the asteroid belt. That’s where Pluto is located. Astronomers point out that the diversity of geological Pluto, hazy atmosphere and unique formations on the surface are extremely exciting for researchers.
Glaciers of nitrogen
Close to the “heart” of Pluto, which is a large, relatively flat area of dwarf planets, show “flowing” across the surface of frozen nitrogen. According to scientists, these are structures resembling Earth’s glaciers and it is possible that not only were, but even still are in motion.
In another photograph showing the area” heart “, just off the dark area near the equator of Pluto, you will see a complex geological structure of the dwarf planet. There is a chain of mountains, high, up to 1.6 km, and geologically older cratered area. One of them, with a diameter of approx. 50 km, is filled with ice.
New photos show the diversity of the surface of Pluto. Clearly geological zones – dark equatorial area that shines in the direction of the pole, where in the end we see a clear expanse of ice.
The researchers also learned more about the very structure of the area, shaped like a heart. It is partly covered with frozen carbon monoxide. Focus of this substance is greater in the center of the “heart.”
The first pictures of small moons of Pluto
New Horizons probe collected data not only about the Pluto, but also its moons. During the flight successfully take pictures of the greatest of them – Charon – as well as smaller satellites.
On closer approach Charon, scientists noticed unusual geological formations. In the top right corner of the image appears relatively large cavity at its center a hill. The creation of such a structure is a mystery to scientists.
The photo captures are also two smaller moons, Nix and Hydra.
Jeden from satellites – Nix – with dimensions of approx. 6 for 40 km.
And for comparison scale – so look Pluto and Charon, they had hovered just above the earth (which, of course, is possible only in the illustration).
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