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2 clusters · 5 sources · 16 days · First seen 21 days ago · Last updated 5 days ago

NASA New Horizons Pluto observations

Overview

Researchers and NASA have utilized high-resolution data from the New Horizons spacecraft to provide new insights into the composition and atmosphere of Pluto.

Analysis of imagery has revealed that the dwarf planet possesses a blue twilight, a phenomenon caused by sunlight scattering through a thin, nitrogen-dominated atmosphere. This scattering occurs via aerosol haze particles, allowing for the detection of multiple atmospheric layers. Additionally, data suggests that liquid nitrogen may have briefly flowed across the Sputnik Planitia region.

Further releases of enhanced-color images have highlighted the chemical diversity of Pluto’s surface. These images emphasize geological differences, such as the smooth, unexpectedly young surface of the heart-shaped Tombaugh Regio, specifically within the Sputnik Planitia lobe.

Entities

Pluto · NASA · New Horizons · Johns Hopkins University · Sputnik Planitia

Timeline

5 days ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
NASA releases enhanced-color image of Pluto
NASA released an enhanced-color image of Pluto using New Horizons data, revealing diverse chemical compositions and a geologically young, smooth surface in the Sputnik Planitia region.
21 days ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
Pluto's blue twilight revealed by NASA New Horizons imagery
NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft data reveals Pluto has a blue twilight caused by sunlight scattering through its nitrogen-rich atmospheric haze, with evidence of past liquid nitrogen flows.

Sources

freerepublic.com · lazybudgetchef.com · merca2.es · spacedaily.com · spaceweekly.com