Smithsonian Magazine on MSN14d
A Novel ‘Kiss and Capture’ Event Gave Pluto Its Largest Moon, Charon, New Study Suggests
Researchers accounted for the previously overlooked structures of the dwarf planet and moon in computer simulations of a ...
CNN on MSN14d
Astronomers have for decades tried to figure out how Pluto captured its largest moon. Now, there’s a new theory
The NASA New Horizons' high-resolution enhanced color view captured a detailed perspective of the rocky, icy moon Charon. - NASA/JHUAPL Instead, Pluto and Charon likely remained much the same after ...
Arizona Daily Star3d
U of A researchers describe cosmic 'kiss' that bound Pluto to largest moon
University of Arizona researchers have unveiled evidence of romance at the farthest reaches of the solar system: a cosmic ...
How Pluto and Charon Were Born From a Giant Collision
Recent simulations link the creation of Pluto and its moon Charon to a colossal impact, akin to the Earth-Moon origin, ...
The story behind Pluto's huge moon bodes well for distant ocean worlds
Using computer models, researchers studying Pluto and its moon, Charon, have discovered an unforeseen kind of cosmic ...
CNN14d
Astronomers have for decades tried to figure out how Pluto captured its largest moon. Now, there’s a new theory
Charon and Earth’s moon are both a large fraction of the size ... Rhoden and Denton both began working through the NASA Astrobiology Postdoctoral Program in September, but Rhoden was not part ...
Mashable14d
The story behind Pluto's huge moon bodes well for distant ocean worlds
This composite image of Pluto, right, and Charon, its largest moon, showcases photos captured by NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft in July 2015. Credit: NASA / JHUAPL / SwRI Unlike how scientists ...
Science Daily17d
Pluto-Charon formation scenario mimics Earth-Moon system
A NASA postdoctoral researcher at Southwest Research Institute has used advanced models that indicate that the formation of Pluto and Charon may parallel that of the Earth-Moon system. Both ...
Space.com4d
Charon: Pluto's dwarf planet partner
As the gatekeepers to the Kuiper Belt, Charon and Pluto are a unique double dwarf planet system. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it ...
Earth’s Mini-Moon Was Probably a Piece of Its Real Moon
Scientists think a small rock discovered near Earth last August was hurled into space by an ancient impact on the lunar surface.
earth13d
Pluto and Charon formed through a 'kiss and capture' collision
New study reveals Pluto and Charon’s origin: a unique "kiss and capture" collision redefines how binary systems form.