This image of Pluto and its largest moon, Charon, was taken by the Ralph color imager aboard NASA's New Horizons spacecraft on April 9.NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute
Pluto, which sits approximately 4.67 billion miles from Earth, just got a tiny bit closer. NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft this month captured the first color image of the dwarf planet from just 71 million miles away — the closest image ever recorded. It is accompanied by a image of Pluto’s largest moon Charon, which is similar in size to Texas.
NASA expects to complete early reconnaissance of Pluto and its system on July 14, when it will capture color images detailing “surface features as small as a few miles across.” The trove of data collected will no doubt enhance everyone’s insight into the minor planet.
“In an unprecedented flyby this July, our knowledge of what the Pluto systems is really like will expand exponentially and I have no doubt there will be exciting discoveries,” says NASA astronaut John Grunsfeld.
See the Astronomical League's Most Beautiful Photos from 2014
The Rosette nebula, also known as NGC 2237 or Caldwell 49, taken from Waukesha, Wisc., on Jan. 6, 2014.Dennis Roscoe, Ph.D.The Elephant's Trunk Nebula, also known as IC 1396, on April 14, 2014.Eric ColesThe Pleiades, also known as M45 or the Seven Sisters, imaged from Fayetteville, Ark., on Jan. 25, 2014.Joel TonyanAndromeda Galaxy (M31), imaged from Fayetteville, Ark., on Jan. 19, 2014, Joel TonyanA time lapse showing star trails above Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola, Fla., on March 30, 2014.Kenny AlexanderEta Aquarid meteors above Bryce Canyon in Utah, in May 2014.David LaneThe Orion Nebula, taken from Waukesha, Wisc., on Feb. 7, 2014.Dennis Roscoe, Ph.D.A star-forming nebula in Gemini, in January 2014.Brian PetersonPropeller Nebula in Cygnus, also known as DWB111, on May 1, 2014.Eric ColesThe Milky Way, taken from Pensacola Beach in Pensacola, Fla., on March 2, 2014.Kenny AlexanderAn aircraft turns over the night sky with the Milky Way in the background above Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., on Jan. 5, 2014.Matt JylhaPelican Nebula, taken from Waukesha, Wisc., on Jan. 9, 2014.Dennis Roscoe, Ph.D.The Horsehead nebula, also known as Barnard 33 in emission nebula IC 434, taken at Seneca and Oswego in Illinois, Feb.-March 2014Martin HrdlickaA panorama of the Milky Way taken from Fall Creek Falls State Park during the Eta Aquarid meteor shower on May 4, 2014.Matt HarbisonThe Rosette nebula, also known as NGC 2237 or Caldwell 49, taken from Seneca, Ill., in March 2014.Martin HrdlickaThe Pinwheel Galaxy, also known as Messier 101, M101 or NGC 5457, taken at the Winter Star Party in the Florida Keys on March 1, 2014.Richard S. Wright Jr.The Milky Way with Venus rising at Pensacola Beach in Pensacola, Fla., on March 2, 2014.Kenny AlexanderWaxing Moon over Winter Garden, Fla., on Feb. 10, 2014Matt Jylha
