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Icy Ridges Found on Pluto: A Fascinating Discovery
Pluto, the dwarf planet located at the edge of our solar system, has always been a subject of fascination for astronomers. In 2015, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew past Pluto and captured some stunning images of its surface. Recently, scientists have made another exciting discovery - icy ridges on Pluto's surface. In this article, we will explore this discovery in detail and understand what it means for our understanding of Pluto.
The Discovery of Icy Ridges on Pluto
In 2015, when New Horizons flew past Pluto, it captured some high-resolution images of its surface. These images revealed a variety of features such as mountains, craters, and plains. However, it was only recently that scientists noticed something unusual - icy ridges on the surface of Pluto.
According to a study published in the journal 'Icarus,' these ridges are located in the vast plain known as Sputnik Planitia. They are made up of methane ice and are several miles long and hundreds of feet tall. The ridges are arranged in a parallel pattern and are spaced about 3-4 miles apart.
What Do These Icy Ridges Tell Us About Pluto?
The discovery of these icy ridges is significant because it tells us more about the geological processes that shape Pluto's surface. Scientists believe that these ridges were formed due to a process called 'sublimation.' Sublimation is when a solid material (in this case, methane ice) turns directly into gas without passing through the liquid phase.
According to Tanguy Bertrand, lead author of the study, "The ridges are analogous to dunes in how they form and evolve but with the important difference that they are made of methane ice instead of sand." This means that the formation of these ridges is similar to how sand dunes are formed on Earth, but the material involved is different.
What Does This Discovery Mean for Our Understanding of Pluto?
The discovery of these icy ridges is just one more piece in the puzzle of understanding Pluto's complex geology. It tells us that there are still many mysteries to be uncovered about this dwarf planet. Scientists believe that the ridges could be relatively young, possibly less than 10 million years old. This means that Pluto's surface is still evolving and changing.
Furthermore, the discovery of these ridges could also have implications for our understanding of other icy bodies in our solar system. According to Bertrand, "Studying these ridges can tell us about the processes that shape icy worlds in general."
Conclusion
The discovery of icy ridges on Pluto is a fascinating development in our understanding of this dwarf planet. It tells us more about the geological processes that shape its surface and opens up new avenues for research. As we continue to explore our solar system, discoveries like these remind us of how much we still have to learn about the universe around us.
FAQs
1. What is sublimation?
Sublimation is when a solid material turns directly into gas without passing through the liquid phase.
2. How were these icy ridges formed?
These ridges were formed due to a process called sublimation, where methane ice turns directly into gas.
3. What does this discovery mean for our understanding of Pluto?
The discovery of these icy ridges tells us more about the geological processes that shape Pluto's surface and opens up new avenues for research.
4. Could this discovery have implications for our understanding of other icy bodies in our solar system?
Yes, studying these ridges can tell us about the processes that shape icy worlds in general.
5. How old are these icy ridges?
Scientists believe that these ridges could be relatively young, possibly less than 10 million years old.
This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.