New Horizons discovered Pluto moving ice and mist





Space Station New Horizons continues to transmit data back to Earth, and scientists - to analyze the resulting data. Now experts are studying images of the surface of Pluto, obtained with instrument Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI). In these photos, удалось find , in particular, haze, fog, rising to a height of 130 km above the surface of the dwarf planet.

Rather, the composition of the haze - methane and other hydrocarbons. In addition, in a region that is named for the world's first orbiting satellite, launched by the Soviet Union, found moving ice. The composition of the ice - nitrogen, methane, CO, the main components of ice on Pluto.

The data obtained by scientists in many ways changed the view of astronomers on the processes occurring in the dwarf planet. This is not a dead world - is still working processes gradually change the surface of Pluto. In particular, the ice move, which could be evidence of the theory of the existence of a liquid ocean under the ice cover of Pluto.

The existence of a moving glacier makes Pluto-like worlds like Earth active or Mars. In addition, scientists have proof of the existence of complex organic compounds on Pluto. This acetylene, ethylene, and other substances. New Horizons have discovered traces of these compounds.

Another interesting fact is that the dark ice (mountains) is much older than the bright areas, and has billions of years. Several photos show also vague ring around Pluto. The hydrocarbons that make up the haze, sometimes fall red "rain" on the surface. While that is only preliminary data analysis - for further findings need more work of scientists. In-depth analysis is required from one to three years of work of the whole team.

Source: geektimes.ru/post/259672/

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