Astronomy Picture of the Day

Pluto in True Color


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zorg.ch
#92563 by @ 04.09.2006 00:00 - nach oben -
Pluto in True Color

Explanation: Pluto is mostly brown. The above picture captures the true colors of Pluto as well as the highest surface resolution so far recovered. Although no spacecraft has yet visited this distant world, the New Horizons spacecraft launched early this year is expected to reach Pluto in 2015. Pluto recent reclassification, by the International Astronomical Union, from planet to dwarf planet remains a topic of much debate. The above map was created by tracking brightness changes from Earth of Pluto during times when it was being partially eclipsed by its moon Charon. The map therefore shows the hemisphere of Pluto that faces Charon. Pluto's brown color is thought dominated by frozen methane deposits metamorphosed by faint but energetic sunlight. The dark band below Pluto's equator is seen to have rather complex coloring, however, indicating that some unknown mechanisms may have affected Pluto's surface.

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zorg.ch
#92580 by @ 04.09.2006 15:36 - nach oben -
bruuune
zorg.ch
#92588 by @ 04.09.2006 18:39 - nach oben -
Das mit dä farb ische würklich interessant. Alle andere Objekt im gliche orbit sind nämli grau, und hend ä andere chemischi zämmäsessig.
zorg.ch
#92564 by @ 04.09.2006 00:48 - nach oben -
hlz barbara!