. 24/7 Space News .
Does The Atmosphere Of Pluto Go Through The Fast-Freeze

Pluto in True Color. Credit: Eliot Young (SwRI) et al., NASA
by Staff Writers
Boulder CO (SPX) Sep 25, 2006
A study of Pluto's bright frosts suggests that the way the planet cools down is rapid and disorganised. The results were presented at the European Planetary Science Congress in Berlin.

Pluto's surface is bright because its atmosphere periodically condenses onto the surface. Theory suggested that, as Pluto cools, the traces of methane should condense first, followed by nitrogen ice as Pluto's surface grows colder.

The study showed two surprising results: that most of Pluto's nitrogen ice contains dissolved methane and that the area covered by pure methane ice patches is roughly the same as the areas covered by the nitrogen methane mixture. The fact that methane ice is mixed in with the nitrogen suggests that the freeze-out process happens quickly and haphazardly.

Dr Eliot Young, from the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, said, "Regardless of its status as a planet or dwarf planet, Pluto is still a fascinating target for planetary scientists. Its surface is constantly changing as different parts of the sphere move into and away from direct light and material evaporates and condenses.

At present, we really don't have a clear idea about exactly how this happens or how atmospheric circulation works on Pluto. But as the New Horizons mission is already on its way, we need to make use of the nine years of its journey to find out what to expect when it gets there."

Pluto's surface has a patchy covering of nitrogen ice, methane and hydrocarbon mud. As Pluto moves around its orbital path, the change in distance from the Sun leads to dramatic changes in the density of Pluto's atmosphere. When the intensity of sunlight on the surface frost increases, more particles evaporate and Pluto's atmosphere becomes thicker. A temperature increase of just 1.5 degree Celsius causes Pluto's atmosphere to double in density. Pluto is now moving away from the Sun and gets 6% less light than when it was at its closest approach in 1989.

Dr Young says "At some point there will be a downturn, but at present Pluto still seems to be getting warmer. It's like finding that it's warmest at three in the afternoon instead of at lunchtime. The temperature rise may be flattening out, but we'll have to wait until next year before we can make some more observations and find out for sure."

The scientists used a technique called stellar occultation, in which they analysed the light from a star as Pluto passed in front to work out Pluto's density profile. The observations were made with the Keck and Subaru Telescopes in Hawaii. The next opportunities to use the technique will be in March and July next year.

The first European Planetary Science Congress (ESPC 1) took place from 18 to 22 September. The conference was organised by EuroPlaNet, the EU-funded Planetology Network, and is addressing all fields of planetary sciences.

Related Links
Southwest Research Institute
Europlanet Web site
EPSC1 meeting web
Lost Among A Million Outer Planets



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Changing Seasons On The Road Trip To Planet Nine
Boulder CO (SPX) Sep 22, 2006
As both summer and September end, the weather in Colorado is noticeably changing. And so is the pace and character of mission operations on New Horizons. We're now completing the major commissioning activities for our instrument payload, and beginning to turn our attention to Jupiter: our first planetary flyby target.









  • Ansari Savoring Every Moment In Orbit
  • Iran Daily Attacks Coverage Of 'Rich Iranian' In Space
  • NASA Requests Proposals For Exploration Park Developer
  • Ansari Boards Space Station For Eight Day Space Adventure At ISS

  • Russia Hopes To Launch Craft To Mission Mars Moon Phobos In 2009
  • Opportunity Set To Explore Victoria Crater As Mars Robot Rovers Power On
  • Managing Mars Missions
  • Mars Society To Hold University Mars Rover Competition

  • Arianespace CEO Calls For New Pricing Regime
  • LM Announces Sale Of Its Interests In International Launch Services And LKEI
  • Call For Fair Pricing Policies In The Commercial Launch Services Industry
  • Eutelsat Confirms Sea Launch Agreements For 2008-9

  • New Technology Helping Foster The 'Democratization Of Cartography'
  • SAIC Becomes Authorized Supplier For Geospatial-Intelligence Solutions
  • DLR And Astrium Sign Contract For German Satellite TanDEM-X
  • Raytheon Completes NPOESS Segment Acceptance Testing Ahead of Schedule

  • Does The Atmosphere Of Pluto Go Through The Fast-Freeze
  • Changing Seasons On The Road Trip To Planet Nine
  • Surprises From The Edge Of The Solar System
  • Dwarf Planet That Caused Huge Row Gets An Appropriate Name

  • Champagne Supernova Challenges Ideas about How Supernovae Work
  • New Evidence Links Stellar Remains To Oldest Recorded Supernova
  • Astronomers Trace The Evolution Of The First Galaxies In The Universe
  • Scientists Detect New Kind Of Cosmic Explosion

  • India Space Agency Dreams Of Lunar Ice Mines
  • New Lunar Meteorite Found In Antarctica
  • Russia And China Could Sign Moon Exploration Pact In 2006
  • SMART-1 Impact Simulated In A Laboratory Sand-Box

  • Surrey Delivers On-Board GPS Receiver To SpaceDev
  • Latest GPS Bird Ready For Launch From Cape Canaveral
  • SSC Gets Galileo RF License Until 2037
  • Launch Of Second Galileo Test Satellite Delayed Until 2007

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement