New Horizons at Pluto: The Grand Tour Finally Completed by Richard A. Lovett

April 2015

This is a timely Science Fact essay as New Horizons has turned on its science instruments last month and will have its closest approach in July.

This article explores the possible geologic history of the Pluto/Charon system.  The main topic of discussion is the likelihood of discovering a liquid ocean beneath its icy crust. There are many possible ways this could happen and Lovett does a very nice job of explaining each one.

What I appreciated most was how he laid out the evidence needed to prove each theory and how, once the spacecraft is near enough, its instruments will reveal the geology.

We are living in a wonderful period of robotic exploration.

Richard A. Lovett's website is here:   richardalovett.com/

Analog Magazine is here:  http://www.analogsf.com/

To follow the New Horizons mission go here:   http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/

Richard A Lovett

New Horizons