Nasa has released a number of stunning colour photographs of the planet Pluto. The pictures have been compiled from four images from the New
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Nasa has released a number of stunning colour photographs of the planet Pluto.
The pictures have been compiled from four images from the New Horizons’ Long Range Reconnaissance Imager mixed with colour data from the Ralph instrument.
The new pictures indicate that Pluto is covered by masses of flowing ice.
Bill McKinnon, “We have evidence for geological activity in Sputnik Planum. It's a dream come true!" #PlutoFlyby pic.twitter.com/JTauwKd1BJ
— NASA New Horizons (@NASANewHorizons) July 24, 2015
Nasa is expecting more data after August.
Alan Stern is new horizons’ lead scientist:“Starting in September, the spigot opens again. Then for a year, maybe more, the sky will be raining presents from the Pluto system. It is going to be quite a ride. We are really happy about the amount of interest in theis mission.”
According to Nasa temperatures of minus 229 Celsius would render water ice immobile, but scientists claim nitrogen and other ices on Pluto would remain “soft” and able to flow in a similar fashion to glaciers on earth.
NEW RELEASE: Get ready for our live event with this new video - a #PlutoFyby over icy plains! http://t.co/O58AYwAsjh pic.twitter.com/rUDvna3fUD
— NASA New Horizons (@NASANewHorizons) July 24, 2015
It is estimated that the frozen mountain ranges discovered on Pluto are 1,524 meters high.