The small, fast-moving New Horizons spacecraft is likely to be the only Pluto mission in the lifetimes of many of us. It changed forever the way we on Earth perceive this outermost world and its moons. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/july-4-2015-new-horizons-at-pluto…
Tag: dwarf planet
Uranus, Neptune, Pluto: A longer view
Astronomer Guy Ottewell talks about his awesome book about some of our solar system’s most beloved outer worlds. As always, he provides the best charts anywhere! Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/ottewell-uranus-neptune-pluto-longer-view…
We go between Saturn and the sun July 9
This is Saturn’s yearly opposition. The ringed planet is now opposite the sun in our sky, rising at sunset, highest up for the night around midnight and setting at sunrise. It’s at its brightest and and best for 2019. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/saturn-closest-and-brightest…
Evidence found that suggests dwarf planet Ceres is wrinkling
A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in Spain has found evidence that suggests the dwarf planet Ceres is experiencing wrinkling on its surface. In their paper published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the group explains their study of data from the Dawn spacecraft and what it revealed. Source: https://phys.org/news/2019-07-evidence-dwarf-planet-ceres-wrinkling.html…
Study shows how icy outer solar system satellites may have formed
Using sophisticated computer simulations and observations, a team led by researchers from the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) at Tokyo Institute of Technology has shown how the so-called trans-Neptunian objects (or TNOs) may have formed. TNOs, which include the dwarf planet Pluto, are a group of icy and rocky small bodies—smaller than planets, but larger than comets—that orbit the solar system beyond…
Gravitational data from Dawn suggests dome on Ceres is made of volcanic mud
An international team of researchers has found evidence that suggests the large dome found on the surface of the dwarf planet Ceres is made of slurry—a mix of salty brine and solid particles. In their paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience, the group describes their study of data from the Dawn spacecraft and what it revealed. Source: https://phys.org/news/2019-06-gravitational-dawn-dome-ceres-volcanic.html…
Ammonia detected on the surface of Pluto, hints at subterranean water
A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in the U.S. and one in France has found evidence of ammonia on the surface of Pluto. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the group describes their finding and what it might have revealed about the dwarf planet. Source: https://phys.org/news/2019-05-ammonia-surface-pluto-hints-subterranean.html…
Icy volcanoes on Pluto may have spewed organic-rich water
Planetary scientists found ammonia-rich ice near cracks on Pluto, suggesting the dwarf planet had recent icy volcanoes. Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ice-volcanoes-pluto-may-have-spewed-organic-rich-water4…