Open AccessNASA plans Pluto‐Kuiper Belt Mission
Author(s) -
Stern Alan,
Cheng Andy
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2002eo000058
Subject(s) - pluto , neptune , astrobiology , solar system , planetary science , planet , albedo (alchemy) , atmosphere (unit) , astronomy , physics , meteorology , history , performance art , art history
The trans‐Neptunian region, which contains the binary planet Pluto‐Charon and the myriad planetary embryos of the Kuiper Belt, is a scientific and intellectual frontier. In recent years, the Pluto‐Charon system has become recognized as a key element for understanding the origin of the outer solar system. So, too, it has become apparent that Pluto‐Charon is a scientific wonderland offering insights into exotic dynamics, the nature of primitive organic material, complex volatile transport processes, and hydrodynamic atmospheric escape, as well as rich surface and atmospheric chemistry. Pluto's size, density albedo, surface composition, and atmosphere also make it a key comparator to Triton, Neptune's large and complex icy satellite.