July 15, 2015
In the time it took you to read this, the Earth moved another thousand miles through space. You are not standing still. You never have been.
Pluto Resolved
Birthday · July 15, 2015
A little universe, just for you
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APOD published July 15, 2015. Credit: NASA, Johns Hopkins Univ./APL, Southwest Research Inst.. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
New Horizons has survived its close encounter with Pluto and has resumed sending back images and data. The robotic spacecraft reported back on time, with all systems working, and with the expected volume of data stored. Featured here is the highest resolution image of Pluto taken before closest approach, an image that really brings Pluto into a satisfying focus. At first glance, Pluto is reddish and has several craters. Toward the image bottom is a surprisingly featureless light-covered region that resembles an iconic heart, and mountainous terrain appears on the lower right. This image, however, is only the beginning. As more images and data pour in today, during the coming week, and over the next year, humanity's understanding of Pluto and its moons will likely become revolutionized. Pluto flyby updates: #PlutoFlyby, Twitter, Facebook, Web
Image credit: NASA, Johns Hopkins Univ./APL, Southwest Research Inst.