Breaking News

Pluto has 'Earth-like characteristics,' study says

By Ashley Strickland, CNN

Updated 1803 GMT (0203 HKT) May 31, 2018

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

The best look at Ultima Thule yet reveals that it has more of a pancake shape.
Photos: New Horizons explores Pluto, Ultima Thule
The best look at Ultima Thule yet reveals that it has more of a pancake shape.
Hide Caption
1 of 48
New Horizons images revealed that craters on Pluto and Charon were made by small Kuiper Belt objects.
Photos: New Horizons explores Pluto, Ultima Thule
New Horizons images revealed that craters on Pluto and Charon were made by small Kuiper Belt objects.
Hide Caption
2 of 48
Although this might look more impressive if you put on 3D glasses, this is the first 3D image of Kuiper Belt object Ultima Thule. New Horizons flew by Ultima Thule on January 1.
Photos: New Horizons explores Pluto, Ultima Thule
Although this might look more impressive if you put on 3D glasses, this is the first 3D image of Kuiper Belt object Ultima Thule. New Horizons flew by Ultima Thule on January 1.
Hide Caption
3 of 48
This is the first color image of Ultima Thule, taken at a distance of 85,000 miles from the object by the New Horizons spacecraft. The "red snowman" replaces the initial "bowling pin" shape it was thought to be. This image reveals that Ultima Thule is actually two objects joined by gravity, making it the first contact binary visited by a spacecraft. The red color is due to it being irradiated in the Kuiper Belt.
Photos: New Horizons explores Pluto, Ultima Thule
This is the first color image of Ultima Thule, taken at a distance of 85,000 miles from the object by the New Horizons spacecraft. The "red snowman" replaces the initial "bowling pin" shape it was thought to be. This image reveals that Ultima Thule is actually two objects joined by gravity, making it the first contact binary visited by a spacecraft. The red color is due to it being irradiated in the Kuiper Belt.
Hide Caption
4 of 48
New Horizons gave us our first "up-close" look at Ultima Thule on January 1. On the left is a composite of two images taken from half a million miles out, indicating the object's size and shape. An artist's impression at right suggests that Ultima Thule is shaped like a bowling pin and spins like a propeller.
Photos: New Horizons explores Pluto, Ultima Thule
New Horizons gave us our first "up-close" look at Ultima Thule on January 1. On the left is a composite of two images taken from half a million miles out, indicating the object's size and shape. An artist's impression at right suggests that Ultima Thule is shaped like a bowling pin and spins like a propeller.
Hide Caption
5 of 48
When NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew past Pluto in July 2015, it captured this image of the major mountain ranges where it meets a vast icy plain called Sputnik Planitia. The ridges in these photos have now been identified as dunes made of solid methane ice grains.
Photos: New Horizons explores Pluto, Ultima Thule
When NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew past Pluto in July 2015, it captured this image of the major mountain ranges where it meets a vast icy plain called Sputnik Planitia. The ridges in these photos have now been identified as dunes made of solid methane ice grains.
Hide Caption
6 of 48
New Horizons photographed what scientists are calling "bladed" terrain near the heart-shaped region of the dwarf planet. This 3-D image was created using two images taken about 14 minutes apart on July 14. The first image was snapped about 16,000 miles (25,000 kilometers) from Pluto and the second was taken when the spacecraft was 10,000 miles (about 17,000 kilometers) away. Break out your 3-D glasses for the best view.
Photos: New Horizons explores Plu