Probe NASA astronomer photographed with ashes sensation on Pluto – Moskovsky Komsomolets

Scientists saw the polar cap of the planet, which had not previously suspected

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His journey to the Pluto probe New Horizons began back in 2006. In mid-April he was still far away from this planet – at a distance of 113 million. Km. However, the camera probe – LORRI – managed to “see” Pluto light area near the poles, which probably represents the polar cap. Details of the New Horizons space odyssey figured correspondent “MK”.

Photo: nasa.gov

Commenting on the journey of the probe, a spokesman for NASA John Gransfild noted that all the fun has only just begun: “As we approach the Pluto system, we begin to discover intriguing details such as a bright spot in our visual pole of Pluto. We are starting a great scientific journey that will help us understand this mysterious object in the sky ».

In addition to the mysterious polar cap LORRI camera was able to capture and largest moon of Pluto – Charon, which makes a complete orbit around the planet in about 6 5 days. However, the most interesting news from New Horizons, apparently, is expected in July, when the probe to Pluto will be selected on the minimum distance. Since July 14, it will be only 12 to 500 km. Then the probe will fly on to other objects in the so-called “Kuiper belt”, which includes Pluto.

The only pictures of Pluto, which was located, scientists have been made from Earth with a telescope Hubble, – says Ivan Moiseyev, director of the Space Policy Institute – This planet had not provided on routes probes exploring the Solar System. Therefore, data from New Horizons, of course, unique; experts calculated by the probe and get detailed information about the Pluto and its moons on. As for the ice cap of the planet, before the experts of its existence is not suspected. It was assumed that, due to the great distance from the sun Pluto it is entirely coated with a mixture of ice, dust and other substances. But, apparently, it is not so.

Pluto discovered in 1930 by the American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh. Now a part of the capsule of his ashes is aboard New Horizons. This planet – the largest of all the objects “Kuiper Belt”, the famous scientist. Prior to 2006, Pluto was considered the ninth planet full of the solar system, but then the International Astronomical Congress declared it a dwarf planet. The diameter of the celestial body is about 3 thousand kilometers.