NASA discovers large icebergs on PlutoFebruary 6, 2016 - 10:57 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Pluto has icebergs, NASA revealed Friday, February 5. By analyzing data and images returned by the New Horizons spacecraft, scientists determined that these icebergs are actually very large. They measure several kilometers across, and traverse the icy plains region being called Sputnik Planum, which makes up half of the large heart shape on the dwarf planet's now familiar face, the Verge reports. New Horizons scientists believe that these iceberg clusters are smaller, less mature versions of nearby mountains. Over time, these hills break free from the mountains and follow the flow of the nitrogen-rich glaciers that make up Sputnik Planum. These iceberg chains are slowly dragged out into the plains in the path of the drifting glaciers. Convection forces eventually push them back out toward the shoreline, where they form clusters that stretch as far as 20 kilometers across. One particularly massive cluster measures 60 by 35 kilometers big, and features dozens of icebergs. NASA believes that this is a result of the icebergs becoming "beached" in the shallow ice at the edge of Sputnik Planum. Icebergs are the latest fascinating discovery made about Pluto's surface. Since last summer's flyby, the New Horizons team has turned up mountain ranges, a badlands area, strangely dotted areas and massive craters, and — of course — possible ice volcanoes. Related links: Top stories Yerevan will host the 2024 edition of the World Congress On Information Technology (WCIT). Rustam Badasyan said due to the lack of such regulation, the state budget is deprived of VAT revenues. Krisp’s smart noise suppression tech silences ambient sounds and isolates your voice for calls. Gurgen Khachatryan claimed that the "illegalities have been taking place in 2020." Partner news Most popular in the section | Turkey extends military presence in Azerbaijan The Turkish parliament has adopted a bill submitted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan to extend the mandate of Turkish troops. Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi Arabia Pashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”. |