NASA Finds Blue Skies and Red Water Ice on Pluto (Photos)
Images sent back by NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft last week reveal that pluto has blue atmospheric hazes and water ice on its surface.
The colour of the haze is caused by called tholins, grey or red coloured particles that scatter blue light in the atmosphere.
“That striking blue tint tells us about the size and composition of the haze particles,” science team researcher Carly Howett said in a statement. “A blue sky often results from scattering of sunlight by very small particles. On Earth, those particles are very tiny nitrogen molecules. On Pluto they appear to be larger — but still relatively small — soot-like particles we call tholins.”
The tholin particles form high in the atmosphere, and are broken apart by ultraviolet sunlight. Particles eventually reform as they fall to Pluto’s surface, adding to its red coloring. The numerous exposed small patches of water ice detected by New Horizons appear bright red in recent colour images.
“Large expanses of Pluto don’t show exposed water ice,” said science team member Jason Cook, of SwRI, “because it’s apparently masked by other, more volatile ices across most of the planet. Understanding why water appears exactly where it does, and not in other places, is a challenge that we are digging into.”
Pluto’s blue haze layer captured by the New Horizons Ralph/Multispectral Visible Imaging Camera (MVIC).
“I’m surprised that this water ice is so red,” says Silvia Protopapa, a science team member from the University of Maryland. “We don’t yet understand the relationship between water ice and the reddish tholin colorants on Pluto’s surface.”
The New Horizons spacecraft is 3.1 billion miles (5 billion kilometers) from Earth on course for a small Kuiper Belt object (KBO) known as 2014 MU69. NASA recently released photos that reveal close-ups of Pluto’s arctic mountain ranges, glaciers, and streams of frozen nitrogen. You can get an idea of what it’s like to fly through the atmosphere of the dwarf at low altitude.
Image Credit: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI
Source IGN
Check out more contributions by Jeffery Pritchett ranging from UFO to Bigfoot to Paranormal to Prophecy
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.

More ridiculous pictures that show nothing. Hey Nasa, do you want to borrow my cheap telescope? It appears to better than what you are using.