NASA experts studied the images of Charon made machine New Horizons, and were surprised to find traces of a turbulent past Pluto, according to website Space Agency.
Charon’s diameter is half Pluto, so Charon is the largest satellite relative to its planet in the solar system. Before scientists were Charon pictures in high resolution, many believed that the surface will be flat and dull, but the reality surpassed their expectations. In reality, on Charon discovered mountains, canyons, and other forms of relief, variety of color and texture.
“We believe that the likelihood to see such interesting shapes on the satellite, which is located in the far corner of our solar system, is very small,” – said Ross Beyer, a member of the research team New Horizons. However, apparently, the scientists were happy to make a mistake.
Photos facing the hemisphere Pluto Charon high resolution were transferred to Earth on September 21 and fixed belt faults and canyons along the equator of the satellite. This system of canyons stretches over 1,600 km in length across the entire visible surface of Charon, and, in all likelihood, going on and on the reverse side. It is four times longer than the Grand Canyon in the United States, and its depth is sometimes twice as much. According to scientists, these faults suggest shifting crust of titanic proportions.
“It looks like the bark of Charon just break, – says John Spencer, an expert from the Research Institute in Boulder, Colo. – Adjusted the size of Charon, this form of relief resembles a giant canyon system on Mars Mariner Valley.”
The researchers also found that in the plains south of the canyon fewer large craters than in the north, indicating that they are relatively young age. Smooth surface of the plains and low ridges and furrows are signs of large-scale changes in surface processes.
One of the theories explaining the smoothness of the surface is cold volcanic activity. Paul Schenk, a member of the Team New Horizons, explained that scientists are discussing the likelihood that many years ago the inner ocean Charon could freeze and expand, leading to rupture the satellite’s crust and allowed the water flows of lava to the surface.
Over the next year, New Horizons must pass new, more detailed images of Charon.
Currently, the spacecraft is about five billion kilometers from Earth. All of the probe are working normally.
Recall, July 14 spacecraft NASA New Horizons passed at a minimum distance from Pluto – 12.5 thousand kilometers.
The machine New Horizons was launched on 19 January 2006 and has since crossed about 5 billion kilometers. During this time, its rate nine times adjusted. Its main goal – to study Pluto and its moon, Charon, Hydra nobody. After that, New Horizons will continue its mission and will travel to other objects in the Kuiper belt. In this area, located beyond the orbit of Neptune, located tens of thousands of small celestial bodies, mainly comets and dwarf planets.
Related Links:
NASA published new pictures of Pluto – scientists have found it complicated landforms
// NEWSru.com // // In the world of September 11, 2015
NASA video shows flight New Horizons above the surface of Pluto
// NEWSru.com // // In the world July 18, 2015
New Horizons passes the information back to Earth from which astronomers’ tears roof “
// NEWSru.com // // In the world July 16, 2015
Directory NEWSru.com:
Information Internet Resources
Profile NEWSru.com:
Science and Technology // NASA // Pluto
No comments:
Post a Comment