Surface features are likely produced by the complexĭistribution of frosts that migrate across Pluto's surface with its The brightness variations in this map may be due to topographicįeatures such as basins and fresh impact craters. Occurred between Pluto and its satellite Charon in the late 1980s. Ground-based light curves obtained during the mutual eclipses that
Has a dark equatorial belt and bright polar caps, as inferred from The map, which covers 85% of the planet's surface, confirms that Pluto This is the first image-based surface map of the solar system's most Opposite hemispheres of Pluto are seen in these two views. The larger images (bottom) are from a global map constructed throughĬomputer image processing performed on the Hubble data. "regions" where the surface is either bright or dark. At this resolution, Hubble discerns roughly 12 major Each square pixel (picture element) is more thanġ00 miles across. The two smaller inset pictures at the top are actual images from Hubble's resolution (just like early telescopic views of Mars) tends toīlur edges and blend together small features sitting inside larger Pluto probably shows even more contrast and perhaps sharperīoundaries between light and dark areas than is shown here, but Object, with more large-scale contrast than any planet, except Earth. Which were made in blue light, show that Pluto is an unusually complex In these NASA Hubble Space Telescope pictures. The never-before-seen surface of the distant planet Pluto is resolved The new HST image was taken when Charon was near its maximumĮlongation from Pluto (0.9 arcseconds). However, subsequent observations are needed to confirm that this feature Suggests that there is a bright area parallel to the equator of Pluto. A detailed analysis of the HST image also Aīright highlight on Pluto indicates that it might have a smoothly That the worlds have different surface composition and structure. The HST observations show that Charon is bluer than Pluto. This now allows astronomers to measure directly (to withinĪbout 1 percent) Pluto's diameter of 2,320 kilometers (1,440 miles) andĬharon's diameter of 1,270 kilometers (790 miles). The HST corrected optics show the two objects as clearly separate and Taken on February 21, 1994, when the planet was 4.4 billion kilometers This is the clearest view yet of the distant planet Pluto and its moon,Ĭharon, as revealed by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Due to its great distanceįrom the sun, Pluto's surface is believed to reach temperatures as lowĪs -240☌ (-400☏). Spacecraft, it remains a mysterious planet. Because Pluto has not yet been visited by any Rare image of tiny Pluto with its moon Charon, which is slightly This view of Pluto was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. (Courtesy NASA/ESA/ESO) Views of Pluto & Charon 17.148°Įquatorial surface gravity (m/sec^2). Pluto's and Charon's rotational periods and Charon's orbital period areĭiscovered by. Gravitationally locked with Pluto, so both bodies always keep the same To be covered with water-ice rather than methane ice. Surface composition seems to be different from Pluto's. In Greek mythology who operated the ferry across the River Styx to Pluto has one satellite named Charon, named after the boatman NASA plans to launch a spacecraft, the PlutoĮxpress, in 2001 that will allow scientists to study the planet before That Pluto's surface is covered with methane ice and that there is a thinĪtmosphere that might freeze and fall to the surface as the planet movesĪway from the Sun. Pluto's orbit is also highly inclined - tilted 17 degrees to the
Remain within the orbit of Neptune until March 14, 1999. Pluto made its closest approach during 1989 and will Pluto is usually farther from the Sun thenĪny of the nine planets however, due to theĬloser than Neptune for 20 years out of itsĢ49-year orbit.
Pluto was discovered on February 18, 1930, making it the last planetįound in our Solar System.
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