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The Lower Atmosphere of Pluto Revealed

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the they-should-buy-a-space-heater-haha-get-it-so-funny-blam-blam dept.

Matt_dk writes "Using ESO's Very Large Telescope, astronomers have gained valuable new insights about the atmosphere of the dwarf planet Pluto. The scientists found unexpectedly large amounts of methane in the atmosphere, and also discovered that the atmosphere is hotter than the surface by about 40 degrees, although it still only reaches a frigid minus 180 degrees Celsius. These properties of Pluto's atmosphere may be due to the presence of pure methane patches or of a methane-rich layer covering the dwarf planet's surface."

2 of 109 comments (clear)

  1. So... by FlyByPC · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Given that it has both a moon and an atmosphere, are they going to admit that it's a planet (albeit a weird one) -- or do we let the definition become so strict that soon nothing qualifies as a planet anymore?

    --
    Paleotechnologist and connoisseur of pretty shiny things.
    1. Re:So... by wooferhound · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Earth will Always be a planet and all other space objects will be compared against it.
      If we get too picky then Earth will be the Only planet as nothing else will fit the description of Earth.

      --
      We are Dead Stars looking back Up at the Sky