Science and Space

space and astronomy articles.

New findings about Pluto and its moon Charon

A new colour map of Pluto is produced using images from the Hubble Space Telescope. The detailed map shows areas likely to be methane frost and a bright spot perhaps made of frozen carbon monoxide. The researchers have found dark areas thought to be dirty water-ice and brighter ones indicating nitrogen frost. Red areas indicate methane ice and possibly other organics (carbon-based molecules). The methane frost seems to be everywhere, running into dark and light areas on "a hemispheric level".

An accurate measurement of Charon’s radius and density were obtained from observations made during the moon’s occultation on 11 July 2005. It is calculated that the radius of Charon to 602.5km, plus or minus one kilometre - the most precise figure yet obtained for its size. From the new radius, scientists are able to determine a very accurate density for Charon of 1.73 (plus or minus 0.08) grams per cubic centimetre.

posted by: kyawoo at 02:28 | link | comments |
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