What did NASA's New Horizons discover around Pluto?
The New Horizons space probe, launched in 2006, provided the first detailed images of Pluto in 2015 after a nine-year journey. Before this, our best views of Pluto were unclear blobs. New Horizons was the fastest spacecraft ever launched, using Jupiter for a gravity assist to reach Pluto quicker. During its flyby, it discovered Pluto has a large heart-shaped ice plain called Sputnik Planitia, made of nitrogen ice, with no craters, suggesting it's very young. Pluto's largest moon, Charon, is unusually big and close, and both are tidally locked, meaning they always show the same face to each other. Pluto also has water-ice mountains, dark areas of tar-like material called tholins, and unique snake-skin-like mountains. Importantly, New Horizons confirmed Pluto has a thin atmosphere with up to 20 haze layers, which can change density quickly due to seasons. The mission continues, with New Horizons heading to explore another distant object in the Kuiper Belt.
Key Vocabulary
Having the shape of a polygon, which is a closed figure with straight sides and angles.
Examples:
- The ancient fortress was surrounded by a strong polygonal wall.
- Engineers designed the new building with a unique polygonal base.
- The artist created a mosaic using various polygonal tiles.
Relating to the sky or outer space, often referring to astronomical objects or phenomena.
Examples:
- The astronomer spent hours observing the celestial bodies through his telescope.
- Many ancient cultures believed in celestial beings guiding their destinies.
- A meteor shower is a beautiful celestial event.
Relating to the arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area, especially in terms of their shape and elevation.
Examples:
- The topographical map showed every hill and valley in the region.
- Hikers studied the topographical features to plan their challenging route.
- The artist used a topographical approach to depict the landscape's varied terrain.
A compound containing one atom of oxygen combined with one atom of another element.
Examples:
- Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be dangerous.
- The chemical reaction produced a rare form of silicon monoxide.
- Scientists are studying the properties of various metal monoxide compounds.
The process by which a solid changes directly into a gas without first melting into a liquid.
Examples:
- Dry ice demonstrates sublimation as it turns directly into a misty gas.
- The scientist observed the sublimation of iodine crystals when heated.
- In very cold climates, snow can disappear through sublimation rather than melting.
Greatly impressed or excited someone.
Examples:
- The magician's incredible trick wowed the entire audience.
- Her stunning performance in the play wowed critics and fans alike.
- The chef's innovative dish wowed even the most discerning diners.
The delay before a transfer of data begins following an instruction for its transfer; a period of delay or inactivity.
Examples:
- The high latency in the network caused significant delays in communication.
- Reducing signal latency is crucial for real-time applications.
- The system experienced a brief latency while processing the complex request.
Hard but liable to break or shatter easily.
Examples:
- The old plastic became brittle and cracked easily in the cold.
- The artist worked carefully with the brittle glass to create delicate sculptures.
- After drying, the clay became brittle and had to be handled with care.
A state of minimal activity and metabolic depression in endotherms, typically occurring in winter, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate.
Examples:
- Bears enter a state of hibernation during the coldest months of the year.
- The spacecraft was put into hibernation mode to conserve power during its long journey.
- Some animals prepare for hibernation by eating large amounts of food in the autumn.
Of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe.
Examples:
- The view from the mountain peak was truly sublime.
- He delivered a sublime performance that earned him a standing ovation.
- The artist's work achieved a sublime balance of color and form.
With a clear aim or intention; deliberately.
Examples:
- She walked purposefully towards the finish line, determined to win.
- He purposefully avoided eye contact, hoping to go unnoticed.
- The team purposefully designed the new software to be user-friendly.
A flight of a spacecraft past a celestial body close enough to obtain scientific data.
Examples:
- The Voyager 2 spacecraft performed a successful flyby of Neptune.
- Scientists eagerly awaited data from the probe's upcoming flyby of the comet.
- The close flyby provided unprecedented images of the distant planet.
A colorless, odorless flammable gas that is the main constituent of natural gas.
Examples:
- Methane is a potent greenhouse gas found in Earth's atmosphere.
- Scientists are studying the presence of methane on other planets.
- The decomposition of organic matter can produce methane gas.
The center of mass of two or more bodies orbiting each other.
Examples:
- The Earth and Moon orbit around a common barycentre, which is located inside the Earth.
- In a binary star system, both stars orbit around their barycentre.
- Calculating the barycentre is essential for understanding the dynamics of celestial systems.
To engage in a close fight or struggle without weapons; to come to grips with something.
Examples:
- The students had to grapple with a difficult math problem for hours.
- He struggled to grapple with the complex ethical dilemma.
- The company is trying to grapple with the challenges of a changing market.
Lying in the same plane.
Examples:
- In geometry, three points are always coplanar.
- The engineer ensured that all the structural beams were coplanar for stability.
- The orbits of the planets in our solar system are nearly coplanar.
Looked at someone or something with one or both eyes partly closed in an attempt to see more clearly or as a reaction to strong light.
Examples:
- She squinted at the small print on the document.
- He squinted into the bright sunlight to get a better view.
- The detective squinted, trying to make out the distant figure.
A slight obscuration of the lower atmosphere, typically caused by fine suspended particles.
Examples:
- A thick haze obscured the distant mountains.
- The morning haze slowly lifted as the sun rose higher.
- The city skyline was barely visible through the summer haze.
Changes from a gaseous to a liquid or solid state.
Examples:
- When warm, moist air cools, water vapor condenses into liquid droplets.
- Steam condenses on the cold surface of the mirror.
- At extremely low temperatures, certain gases will condense into solids.
Moved very quickly, typically with a buzzing or hissing sound.
Examples:
- The bullet whizzed past his ear.
- A sports car whizzed down the highway at an incredible speed.
- The ball whizzed into the net, scoring a goal.