Pluto’s atmosphere was cold and uneven

Experts came to four main conclusions about the structure and composition of the gas envelope of Pluto.

Scientists from the southwest research Institute in boulder (USA) with colleagues have carried out a detailed analysis of the structure and composition of Pluto’s atmosphere. Corresponding Preprint of the research is aimed for publication in the journal Icarus and is available in edition “Tapes.ru”.

In the atmosphere of the dwarf planet, scientists have discovered five compounds (N2, CH4, C2H2, C2H4, and C2H6). Experts came to four main conclusions about the structure and composition of the gas envelope of Pluto.

First, the temperature of the upper atmosphere (at an altitude of 1710 kilometers) of the dwarf planet is 65-68 degrees Kelvin, which is lower than previously thought by scientists. Second, homopause gas envelope of the Pluton located at an altitude of about 12 kilometers from its surface.

Thirdly, the compounds C2H2, C2H4, and C2H6 are distributed in the atmosphere of Pluto is inhomogeneous. Thus, experts announced the discovery of the local maxima of the concentrations С2Н4 at an altitude of 410 kilometers, C2H2 — at an altitude of 320 kilometers and C2H6 — at an altitude of 260 kilometers. For the same compounds found local minima of the concentrations.

Fourth, the turbidity of the atmosphere of Pluto is related to the extinction coefficient, was found to be approximately proportional to the gas contained in the shell of nitrogen.

Analysis conducted by experts based on data obtained from scientific instrument Alice station New Horizons, which is 14 July 2015 flew at a minimum distance from Pluto. The main objective of the mission was to study the dwarf planet and its satellite Charon. Previously, scientists from the University of Porto and of the University of Lisbon (Portugal) calculated anomalous acceleration station New Horizons, due to the thermal radiation of the fragments.

paradox