Pluto Planetary Science is the Gift that Keeps on Giving

Something wetting the surface of Pluto's northern edge, Sputnik Planitia, has been discovered as liquid nitrogen rises through cracks in its glaciers. A study of New Horizons images reveals this upwelling, which is unusual given Pluto's extreme cold. The study suggests that the liquid nitrogen may be melting from the base of the ice, and the findings are detailed in a paper published by the team led by Alan Stern. The discovery implies that Pluto's surface is dynamically active, with liquid nitrogen flowing upward and creating dark features similar to those on Earth's glaciers.

The study found that the surface patterns of Sputnik Planitia resemble those of Earth's glacial regions, where meltwater flows from below. The similarity is strong enough to lead the researchers to look for terrestrial analogs, such as areas in Antarctica and Greenland where liquid water has been observed. The heat responsible for melting the ice is likely from geothermal activity or glacial pressure, but the exact mechanism is not yet understood. The evidence suggests that the region is relatively young, less than one million years old, and that the surface conditions on Pluto are unique compared to Earth.

The findings have implications for understanding ice behavior on other icy worlds, such as Triton and Eris. The study highlights the importance of continued exploration of these environments, as they offer insights into the physics of solid-state nitrogen under extreme conditions. The research underscores the dynamic nature of Pluto's surface and the potential for similar processes on other celestial bodies.

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