Exploring Pluto’s Equator: Massive Methane Ice Spikes Discovered!

New research reveals that massive spires of methane ice might cover around 60% of Pluto’s equatorial region. That’s a bigger area than scientists had thought. This study, published on July 5 in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, relied on data from NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft. This spacecraft sent back the first close-up images of Pluto almost a decade ago, on July 14, 2015.

During its flyby, New Horizons captured stunning images of tall spires, each about 1,000 feet (300 meters) high—similar in height to the Eiffel Tower. These icy structures are lined up in rows, creating a unique geological feature called “bladed terrain.”

These spires are found in a mountainous area known as Tartarus Dorsa, located just east of Pluto’s famous heart-shaped region, Tombaugh Regio. Surprisingly, these features resemble Earth’s penitentes—similar icy formations that can grow up to 9 feet (3 meters) tall in high-altitude regions like the Andes. Other celestial bodies, like Jupiter’s moon Europa and possibly Mars, display similar structures.

New Horizons could only photograph the side of Pluto it encountered, but indirect evidence suggests that methane is plentiful on the non-encounter side as well. Ishan Mishra, a researcher at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, explained that even though the other side is blurry in images, scientists can still detect surface roughness. Areas with spires create shadows, making rough terrains darker than smooth ones. This quality helps scientists study surface characteristics, even when direct images aren’t available.

The research team analyzed how light reflected off Pluto’s surface at various angles to understand its roughness better. They focused on six areas, including the bladed terrain. Using a mathematical model, they measured variations in brightness, which indicated the roughness of the surface.

The researchers found that the non-encounter side was rougher overall—about twice as rough on average compared to the side New Horizons could see. This suggests the bladed terrain might stretch continuously around Pluto, covering a vast area equivalent to five times the width of the continental United States. The ideal conditions for these formations exist between 30 degrees north and south of Pluto’s equator, where seasonal changes in methane may help create and sustain these icy spires.

However, direct confirmation will require a future spacecraft mission. Until then, studies like this provide the best indirect evidence based on the available data. As of now, scientists are eager to explore further and gather more insights into the complex and dynamic nature of Pluto.

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