Pluto's 'Heart' Is Broken, And Its Moon Charon Is A Redhead

Tuesday, July 14, 2015 - 14:40 in Astronomy & Space

Color Images of Pluto and CharonNASAThis photo was captured at 3:38 a.m. EDT on July 13.Scientists have tie-dyed Pluto and Charon, proving that the New Horizons flyby really is a scientific Woodstock. In the false color images above, the colors are stretched to reveal Pluto and its moon's geology, molecular composition, and how radiation has shaped the surfaces. NASA released the photo this afternoon, though it was taken at 3:38 a.m. EDT on July 13.The colors in this photo aren't what Pluto and Charon actually look like, but are exaggerated so scientists can tell apart the chemical makeup and features. They show that Pluto's beloved “heart” is actually composed of two distinct patches. The western lobe of the heart is shows up peach, in contrast to its bluish eastern half. The colors hint that the two halves are made of different stuff.On Charon, the source of...

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