Pluto's atmosphere consists of methane

2009/04/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Astronomia

Pluto's atmosphere is composed of methane and has a temperature of -180°C. This has been deduced by researchers from the European Organization of Astronomical Research of the Southern Hemisphere, using the CRIRES telescope. In addition to finding large amounts of methane in the atmosphere, it has been suggested that the Earth's surface is about 40ºC above the Earth's surface.

In Pluto, the highest temperatures are in the furthest areas of the Earth's surface, unlike the Earth. Scientists believe that the cold of the earth's surface is related to the atmosphere. One comparison is that, just as sweat cools the body after evaporating on the human surface, the sublimation of Pluto's surface ice, that is, its conversion into gas, produces a cooling effect. In addition, some of the properties of Pluto are those of the comets, which are formed by the sublimation of the ice when approaching the Sun.

Pluto's atmosphere properties can be explained in two ways. The first explanation indicates that the terrestrial surface is covered by a layer of methane. The second, that on the terrestrial surface can exist areas of pure methane. According to the researchers, while Pluto moves away from the Sun more research will have to be done. In 2015, NASA's New Horizons space probe will reach nanoplanets and provide more keys.