Amazing...

Thanks for posting this. Love it.

I couldn't help myself





New Horizons Closest Flyby Resolution Related to Similar Satellite Resolution on Earth
As New Horizons approaches its historic flyby of the Pluto system, I thought it would be interesting to relate New Horizons' observations to Earth at similar meter/pixel resolutions to better appreciate this deep space mission.

During its flyby of the Jupiter system, New Horizons' Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) captured images of Jupiter's four large in wonderful detail. From left to right, Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto were captured at 1.7, 1.8, 2.2 and 2.6 million miles with resolutions of 13, 15, 17 and 21 km/pixel respectively. source. To put this into perspective, the current image of Pluto at the time of this post was taken from roughly ~ 9 million miles!





Comparatively, New Horizons closest approach will bring the craft within less than 7,800 miles of Pluto and ~18,000 miles of Charon -- close enough to produce 50 meter/pixel resolution from LORRI and 250 meter/pixel resolution from Ralph. source. Essentially, we haven't seen nothin' yet!

Now, the prompt for this post... what does 50-250 meter/pixel resolution look like? What better place to look at than our very own pale blue dot. The following image of Italy was produced by the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA's Terra satellite, producing a resolution of 250 meters/pixel. The mpg animation files found here show the same region zoomed from 250 m/pixel to 15 m/pixel -- admittedly higher resolution than what LORRI will produce but you get the idea -- we're in for some wonderful science!

who stripped Pluto of its planetship?

Mercury and Venus, the two planets closest to the Sun, have no moons and Earth, next farthest, has just one.

Mars is smaller than Earth but still has two moons, and less gravitational pull from the sun. Wonder if that lesser influence from the Sun's gravity enabled it to capture two moons?

From Jupiter out all the planets have multiple moons, including as you pointed out, tiny Pluto with five.

And more than likely but I've not researched this. I'll look into it.

Glad you're here! This is COOL! Makes me want to go check out the Facebook page I Fucking Love Science!

https://www.facebook.com/IFeakingLoveScience

Nothing there yet, but I bet there will be. I'm tempted to post this photo on there, but I think I'll wait. Not a scientist, but I fucking love 'em. And I kinda married one. Lots of geek around our house! When we first were dating, I noticed he took his algebra books to the bathroom with him. Couldn't help myself. Kinda fell in love with that! And with him! Now it's astronomy magazines and civil aviation journals and other technical stuff on that order he takes to the bathroom with him. Love it! Can't help it!

The Geekitude is strong with him, Luke.

Love it.

Pluto was known as the smallest planet in the solar system and the ninth planet from the sun. Today, Pluto is called a "dwarf planet." A dwarf planet orbits the sun just like other planets, but it is smaller. A dwarf planet is so small it cannot clear other objects out of its path.Jan 27, 2014
What Is Pluto? | NASA


https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k.../what-is-pluto-k4.html


This link doesn't work but is funny.

The following link works.

https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/what-is-pluto-k4.html

Some dwarf planets in the Kuiper Belt actually orbit each other.

its those unmanned NASA missions that provided us with wonder. WTG NASA

We could.... if we had the $$$$$.... which we actually do.... maybe if we stop investigating Benghazi instead.

Wonderful things show up on this topic area on DU.

I check it every day if I have time. This one was certainly worth coming here today.

Thanks again.

I love all the pictures coming back. Thanks for this one; it's beautiful.

Ever since I was a little boy I have wondered what Pluto looks like. I hoped someday that I would get to see a picture and that day is coming in just several days. It was my dream to become an astronaut and go to space some day but I wasn't nearly smart enough. Instead I read anything I can. I leave the ISS feed up on my computer sometimes as I work. My eyes are glued to my telescope at night when I get the chance. I was so upset the other day when the problems happened but it looks like I'm going to get my wish after all. The next big excitement for me is going back to the moon and going to Europa. I know Europa will be an orbiting study but I hope I live long enough to see a lander. Drilling into the ice. The site of Jupiter from the surface. I'm such a space geek.

The National Geographic Solar System book I had didn't have diddly squat about Pluto. It was always mysterious. The very best photo we had of it was a fuzzy gray blob. And now look. Just amazing.

I remember being a kid and Pluto was always described as this icy world covered in sheets of ice. When artists would put together an image based upon speculation, it was always white and gray. Now we see the truth. What I find really annoying... if you do a search on Pluto all you get are hundreds of websites arguing about whether pluto is a planet or not. ugh.

A few years later Dobson came and he signed it!
It's big and I roll it out and get it on a table....I have seen Saturn's rings with it...that was a thrill!

I saw the blurry pics yesterday....this is amazing. Can't wait for more!!!!

Last edited Sat Jul 11, 2015, 12:14 AM - Edit history (1)

As I recall, the Pluto controversy started when they discovered two little planets larger than Pluto, right? If they had just added those two to the list, then imagine the wonderful literature, public discussion, repeated showing of various charts and photos, and general public interest that might have triggered. With adequate encouragement and educational materials, the public school teachers could have inspired fresh scientific fervor in school kids across the nation (probably across the world), staging massive celebrations and class projects and individual science fair exhibits. I had a 35 year career in the public schools; I know these people. Believe me: if you astronomers will give them this opening, these teachers will stretch the activities to the limits of possibility.

I've observed in my 12" and once in a 8" cat. The little planet (I still call it a planet) is so small and is only about .1 second of arc at it's best. Reminds me of a shy person stuck on a lonely chair at a junior high school dance.

Last edited Mon Jul 13, 2015, 03:56 PM - Edit history (1)

That's probably the reason for the emotional debates over Pluto's "planethood."

...better when Pluto was a planet! (I'm kidding....)

Pluto was downgraded from planet status in 2006. Do you think this mission would have happened if the planet had been downgraded before construction began (remember, this was during the Bush era when he was trying to find money to fight his wars)?

To have my name on the disk carried by this little spacecraft! The certificate (with it's unique registration number) is sitting in front of my childhood astronomy books and a shelf away from my books on the symbolism of Pluto and its role in the unfolding cycles we are part of'

I cannot believe I am finally nearing Pluto, it is overwhelming!!

scientists

The photo made me think of a well lined up set of billiard balls.

The photo is a stunner.

Now, where is my blue chalk cube hiding?

and the link...love being able to see images like these...

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Mankind should devote more of its time to discovery and reseach rather than wars.