Pluto s Snakeskin Terrain
Explanation:
A
mountainous region informally known as Tartarus Dorsa sprawls
some 530 kilometers (330 miles) across this
Plutonian landscape.
Recently downloaded
from New Horizons,
it combines blue,
red, and infrared image data in an extended color view
captured near the spacecraft's close approach to Pluto on July 14.
Shadows near the terminator, the line between Pluto's dim day and night,
emphasize a rough, scaly
texture.
The stunning image resolves details
on the distant world about 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) across.
Refering to a
part
of Hades in ancient Greek mythology,
Tartarus Dorsa borders Tombaugh Regio
to the east.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
