Does anyone know why it looks like Pluto has an atmosphere in this picture?
Short answer? Because it does. It doesn't take much to be visible compared to space.
this post was submitted on 21 Nov 2024
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Oh wow that's really cool! I didn't know.
It's about one millionth of the pressure of earth's atmosphere at sea level.
I donβt think any planet^1^ has surprised us more than Pluto.
^1^ I know. If anyone gets pedantic, theyβre reclassified as a dwarf clown.
Pluto's atmosphere has been studied since the 1980s, using spectroscopy and stellar occultation (watching starlight flicker as Pluto passed in front of it). It wasn't a surprise when New Horizons observed it.
I wasnβt thinking about the atmosphere. I meant in general, Pluto surprised more than other first fly-bys. Uranus is obviously extra weird in a lot of ways but who was expecting Pluto to be as interesting?
That's a friggin planet....
It's smaller than the moon, and six other moons
(Old)
Hey, fuck you this only happened ... checks watch ... 9 years ago? God Damn, we are getting old.
Hey, if you wanna feel really old, look up how long it's been since Pluto was demoted from being a planet.
spoiler alert: its been 18 freaking years
The Old Adventures of the New Horizons
Probably reflection of light from the other side if I had to guess.