Astronomy Picture of the Day
    


Pluto s Snakeskin Terrain
<< Yesterday 25.09.2015 Tomorrow >>
Pluto s Snakeskin Terrain
Credit & Copyright: NASA, Johns Hopkins Univ./APL, Southwest Research Institute
Explanation: A mountainous region informally known as Tartarus Dorsa sprawls some 530 kilometers (330 miles) across this Plutonian landscape. Recently downloaded from New Horizons, it combines blue, red, and infrared image data in an extended color view captured near the spacecraft's close approach to Pluto on July 14. Shadows near the terminator, the line between Pluto's dim day and night, emphasize a rough, scaly texture. The stunning image resolves details on the distant world about 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) across. Refering to a part of Hades in ancient Greek mythology, Tartarus Dorsa borders Tombaugh Regio to the east.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
 < September 2015  >
Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su

123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930



Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.

Based on Astronomy Picture Of the Day

Publications with keywords: Pluto
Publications with words: Pluto
See also:
All publications on this topic >>