Pluto
Latest about Pluto
![A heart-shaped 'splat' on Pluto's surface has captivated scientists for nearly a decade. New simulations finally reveal where it may have come from.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wBveVPB68eB5aEcwNyWFuK-320-80.jpg)
Pluto's huge white 'heart' has a surprisingly violent origin, new study suggests
By Stephanie Pappas published
Tombaugh Regio — the large, pale heart that dominates Pluto's terrain — is made of nitrogen ice that accumulated after a huge, slow-motion impact, new research suggests.
![Pluto's bladed terrain as seen from NASA's New Horizons during its July 2015 flyby.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KUFUiFxR2VWjBK5mCYq87e-320-80.jpg)
Pluto may have an ice-spewing 'supervolcano' the size of Yellowstone, New Horizons data reveals
By Briley Lewis published
Kiladze Caldera, formerly called Kiladze crater, may be a supervolcano that erupted fairly recently, spewing ice across the surface of Pluto.
![NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft took this enhanced color image of Pluto on July 14, 2015.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ay6ycXYTmhxfD2Jad9E8Kf-320-80.jpg)
When will Pluto complete its first orbit since its discovery?
By Elizabeth Howell published
Astronomers will have to wait a while to celebrate the first complete orbit of Pluto since its discovery.
![An image of Pluto taken by the New Horizons probe in 2015 with evidence for potential cryovolcanism marked in blue.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nuR3e8z4zVHXDGtknEVzEB-320-80.jpeg)
Ice volcanoes on Pluto may still be erupting
By Rebecca Sohn published
An area of Pluto that researchers think was formed from the eruption of ice volcanoes is unique on the dwarf planet and in the solar system, a new study suggests.
![Pluto close-up](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TaELdD5MnZkbtD4dvv7k7J-320-80.jpg)
Pluto's atmosphere is starting to disappear
By Chelsea Gohd published
Pluto's atmosphere is going through a strange transformation, scientists are finding.
![This image shows SN2014J, one of the closest type Ia supernovas in recent decades.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BALUr6SREDazKDEEhwescN-320-80.jpeg)
Rare plutonium from space found in deep-sea crust
By Stephanie Pappas published
A rare type of plutonium has been found in the crust below the deep sea, offering new clues as to how heavy metals form in star explosions and mergers.
![An artist's depiction of the first identified interstellar object, 'Oumuamua.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/grV9DhZ2DUhJrdC7AEm3S9-320-80.jpg)
Interstellar visitor 'Oumuamua came from an 'alien Pluto,' new study suggests
By Rafi Letzter published
Back in 2017, a point of strange light flashed through the solar system. Three years later, a new team of scientists claims to have figured out what it was.
![NASA's New Horizons spacecraft captured this image of the blue haze around the dwarf planet Pluto during its historic flyby in 2015.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XyUKGZSfVcv3My4cu9fWqQ-320-80.jpg)
Pluto's haze made up of ice crystals with cyanide hearts
By Charles Q. Choi published
The haze shrouding Pluto might be made up of ice crystals possessing cyanide hearts, a new study finds.
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