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CNN is suggesting we might get some good pictures tonight after 9pm.
I am confused, they spend how many billion on a lame picture ? NYC street artists can draw a better picture for $20 !
The New Horizon's space craft will do more than take pictures of Pluto and Charon. The following data is hoped to be collected from the mission.
'Specifically, the mission's science objectives are to:[34]
map the surface composition of Pluto and Charon
characterize the geology and morphology of Pluto and Charon
characterize the neutral atmosphere of Pluto and its escape rate
search for an atmosphere around Charon
map surface temperatures on Pluto and Charon
search for rings and additional satellites around Pluto
conduct similar investigations of one or more Kuiper Belt objects
Objectives[edit]
The mission's science objectives are grouped in three distinct priorities. The "primary objectives" are required by NASA and a loss of any of these objectives will constitute a partial failure of the mission, while it is expected, but not demanded, that most of the "secondary objectives" will be met. The "tertiary objectives" are desired. These objectives may be attempted, though they may be skipped in favor of the above objectives. An objective to measure any magnetic field of Pluto was dropped. A magnetometer instrument could not be implemented within a reasonable mass budget and schedule, and SWAP and PEPSSI could do an indirect job detecting some magnetic field around Pluto.[citation needed]
Primary objectives (required) Characterize the global geology and morphology of Pluto and Charon
Map chemical compositions of Pluto and Charon surfaces
Characterize the neutral (non-ionized) atmosphere of Pluto and its escape rate
Secondary objectives (expected) Characterize the time variability of Pluto's surface and atmosphere
Image select Pluto and Charon areas in stereo
Map the terminators (day/night border) of Pluto and Charon with high resolution
Map the chemical compositions of select Pluto and Charon areas with high resolution
Characterize Pluto's ionosphere (upper layer of the atmosphere) and its interaction with the solar wind
Search for neutral species such as H2, hydrocarbons, HCN and other nitriles in the atmosphere
Search for any Charon atmosphere
Determine bolometric Bond albedos for Pluto and Charon
Map surface temperatures of Pluto and Charon
Map any additional surfaces of outermost moons: Nix, Hydra, Kerberos, and Styx
Tertiary objectives (desired) Characterize the energetic particle environment at Pluto and Charon
Refine bulk parameters (radii, masses) and orbits of Pluto and Charon
Search for additional moons and any rings' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Horizons
I read yesterday or the day before that the space craft had already detected nitrogen escaping from Pluto's atmosphere. And we now know with certainty the size of Pluto - 1,473 miles (2,370 kilometers) in diameter.
Earlier in its journey, the New Horizons space craft sped by Jupiter and collected information about that planet as well.
If anyone has a chance watch the NOVA special PBS about this MIssion that aired last night. A little mind blowing to say the least.
On its way past Jupiter several years ago is snapped photos of an actual volcanic eruption on one of Jupiters moons. The first time ever this has been seen outside of earth.
[] first time ever this has been seen outside of earth.[/quote]The first time? An eruption on one of Jupiter's moons was observed ages ago.
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