Photos of Pluto and Its Moons

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By Space.com Staff
published

Twilight on Pluto

NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute

Twilight on Pluto is seen in this New Horizons image which has been processed two different ways. Image released Sept. 10, 2015.

Sun Shining Through Pluto's Atmosphere

NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute

A processed image of the sun shining through Pluto's atmosphere (right, unedited version at left) reveals multiple layers of haze.

Informal Names for Features on Pluto’s Sputnik Planum

NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute

Image showing the informal names being used by the New Horizons team for features on the icy Pluto plains known as Sputnik Planum. These monikers have not yet been approved by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

Informal Names for Features on Pluto’s Moon Charon

NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute

Image showing the provisional names being used by the New Horizons team for features on Pluto’s largest moon, Charon. These monikers have not yet been approved by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

Informal Names for Features on Pluto

NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute

Image showing the informal names being used by the New Horizons team for features on Pluto. These monikers have not yet been approved by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

Pluto's Moon Charon Global Map

NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute

The science team of NASA's New Horizons mission produced a global map of Pluto’s largest moon, Charon. Image released July 30, 2015.

Global Map of Pluto (Without Grid)

NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute

The science team of NASA’s New Horizons mission produced an updated global map of dwarf planet Pluto. Image released July 27, 2015.

Global Map of Pluto (With Grid)

NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute

The science team of NASA’s New Horizons mission produced an updated global map of dwarf planet Pluto. Image released July 27, 2015.

Global Mosaic of Pluto Shown in True Color

NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI

Four images from New Horizons’ Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) combine with color data from the Ralph instrument to create this sharper global view of Pluto. The spacecraft obtained the images at a distance of 280,000 miles (450,000 kilometers). Image released July 24, 2015.

Pluto's Flowing Ices

NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI

New Horizons space probe discovered flowing ices in Pluto’s heart-shaped feature, as shown by the swirling patterns. Image released July 24, 2015.

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Space.com Staff
Space.com Staff
News and editorial team

Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor.