What’s going on under the surface of pluto? The New Horizons probe passed Pluto just last year, after a nine year journey to the Kuiper Belt. Over the last few months, images from the probe have been being received back here on Earth. These images are the most high quality photos of Pluto we have ever seen. In this article, Nasa explores why it appears that part of Pluto is “disappearing” in front of our own eyes. What’s going on?
Scientists think it is a process called sublimation, which means that parts of the surface is converting into gas. The surface of Pluto is rich in Methane, and scientists believe it is this Methane that is evaporating into the atmosphere of the dwarf planet. In the attached, image, one can see the cliffs and valleys that have been created as a result of sublimation.
Scientists have also detected a later of ice-like material under the rock bed of the planet. The surface is so cold, however, that it is immobile. More inferences will be made as more images are received from the New Horizons probe.
