Pluto: The Solar System's Enduring Enigma
Synopsis
NASA's New Horizons probe traveled 3.5 billion miles to send back the first close-up images of Pluto, revealing a world of unexpected complexity.
Synopsis
Alice Bowman, mission operations manager for NASA's New Horizons, faced a critical moment in 2015 as her team lost contact with the spacecraft just before its historic flyby of Pluto. The probe, launched in 2006, traveled 3.5 billion miles to deliver the first close-up images of the dwarf planet. The data revealed a complex world with icy mountains, frozen volcanoes, and the possibility of a subsurface ocean. These findings challenge previous assumptions about Pluto and suggest potential for extraterrestrial life.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- See the first close-up images of Pluto from New Horizons.
- Find out how Pluto's features rival Earth's landscapes.
- Meet Alice Bowman, the mission operations manager.
Did You Know
- Pluto is located 3.5 billion miles from Earth.
- The New Horizons probe took over 9 years to reach Pluto.
- Pluto was discovered in 1930.
- Data from New Horizons suggests Pluto may have a liquid water ocean beneath its surface.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pluto discovered?
Pluto was discovered in 1930.
What is the name of the probe that took close-up images of Pluto?
The probe that took close-up images of Pluto is called New Horizons.
How long did it take New Horizons to reach Pluto?
It took New Horizons more than 9 years to make the 3 and a half billion mile voyage to Pluto.
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