Pluto has many more colors than can be seen with the naked eye. In July 2015, the robotic New Horizons spacecraft captured color data and high-resolution images of the famous dwarf planet. While the data showed that Pluto has a younger surface than expected, it was digitally combined to create an enhanced color image.

This enhanced color image, which has been shared, highlights the different chemical compositions on the surface, making it a valuable resource both aesthetically and scientifically. For example, the light-colored, heart-shaped Tombaugh Regio in the lower right clearly shows that it is composed of two geologically distinct regions. However, the surface of Sputnik Planitia on the left is remarkably smooth.

After passing by Pluto, New Horizons continued its journey in 2019, passing close to the asteroid Arrokoth. The spacecraft has a high enough speed to leave the solar system completely.

August 1, 2021 Astronomy Photo of the Day (NASA APOD)

Görsel Kaynağı: NASA, Johns Hopkins Üniv./APL, Southwest Research Inst.