Posts: 611
Threads: 41
Joined: Dec 2014
Since such planets out on the extreme periphery of a solar system are prone to gravitational capture and slingshots, a frozen garden world of that type could easily be a 'rogue planet' found in interstellar space. Maybe even with its mirrors still orbiting, just sort of useless far from the nearest star.
Posts: 254
Threads: 51
Joined: Nov 2014
Counting down to Tuesday.
Posts: 254
Threads: 51
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 254
Threads: 51
Joined: Nov 2014
07-14-2015, 09:10 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-14-2015, 09:10 PM by PortalHunter.)
At the time of posting, there's roughly 38 minutes before the probe arrives in the Pluto system. NASA will release images at around 3pm ~ 4pm EST, or at 8pm ~ 9pm BST on Wednesday.
Posts: 254
Threads: 51
Joined: Nov 2014
July 13, 2015.
Posts: 254
Threads: 51
Joined: Nov 2014
CHARON
Pluto's Icy Mountains
Funny how the first close-up image of Pluto received / released to the public doesn't have any visible impact craters on it.
HYDRA
Hey, look! It's not an extremely fuzzy pixel anymore!
Posts: 11,695
Threads: 452
Joined: Apr 2013
That close-up of Pluto looks a bit like the chaotic terrain on Mars; large mountain blocks surrounded by flat landscape. However I don't expect that the flat landscape is formed by flowing fluids like on Mars.
Posts: 620
Threads: 23
Joined: Mar 2013
Not even by liquid nitrogen?
Radtech497
"I'd much rather see you on my side, than scattered into... atoms." Ming the Merciless, Ruler of the Universe
Posts: 11,695
Threads: 452
Joined: Apr 2013
Liquid nitrogen is a possibility, but at very low atmospheric pressures nitrogen sublimes. I don't know the atmospheric pressure on Pluto, but it is probably quite low.
Posts: 254
Threads: 51
Joined: Nov 2014
One of the biggest mysteries NASA is trying to figure out about the Pluto/Charon system is where these bodies get their now-apparent internal heat from. Even Charon looks smooth and clean of impact craters compared to many other icy moons.
What I'm reading from NASA suggests those mountains may be supported by / formed by water ice.