Pluto

Nasa's James Webb Space Telescope has discovered traces of carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on Cheron's surface, sparking new interest in Pluto's largest moon

Scientists have detected the gases carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on Pluto's largest moon, 'Charon', which they said could help understand how icy bodies originated and evolved in the outer Solar System. Once considered the ninth and last planet of the Solar System, Pluto was demoted to a 'dwarf planet' status in 2006, when members of the International Astronomical Union voted to scientifically define a 'planet' for the first time. According to the resolution passed then, a dwarf planet is one that has not been able to create a clear orbit for itself, free from debris. Pluto's orbit, lying in the Kuiper belt region beyond the planet Neptune, was thought to cross with those of other objects. Charon is the largest of the five known moons of Pluto and has been studied since it was discovered in 1978. Being extremely cold, there's practically no chance for life to exist on Pluto and water, essential for life, is present as ice. The team, led by researchers at the Southwest Resear

With the Vera Rubin Observatory due to start operating in mid-2024, the hope is that the mystery around the planet will be solved

The giant telescope shall also try to identify supermassive black holes that sit at the centre of almost every large galaxy

For dunes to even exist, there are a pair of "Goldilocks" criteria that must be satisfied. First is a supply of erodible but durable grains.

After stripping it of planet status in 2006, some astronomers want to reclassify it once again

Icy, rocky Pluto had been the smallest of the nine planets

The research was published in a special Pluto issue of the journal Icarus

Distant Pluto harbours a hidden ocean beneath the frozen surface of its heart-shaped central plain containing as much water as all of Earth's seas