‘Showstopper’: Pluto’s most accurate natural colour images awes netizens as 2015 click goes viral

NASA marked a groundbreaking achievement as New Horizons became the first-ever spacecraft to closely observe Pluto and its moons. On July 14, 2015, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft completed a historic encounter with the distant Pluto, making a close pass at a mere 7,750 miles (12,472 km) above its surface.New Horizons is the first and only spacecraft to approach Pluto, exploring this relic from the solar system’s formation. It covered a greater distance and duration (over nine years) than any previous deep space probe, upon reaching Pluto.The spacecraft navigated through a precise 36-by-57 miles (58 by 92 km) window in space, akin to a commercial airliner arriving with a precision no greater than the width of a tennis ball.This mission marked a groundbreaking achievement as New Horizons became the first-ever spacecraft to closely observe Pluto and its moons, including Charon, Nix, Hydra, Styx, and Kerberos. One of the initial and visually striking revelations from New Horizons was the discovery of a prominent heart-shaped feature on Pluto’s surface.

Subsequent to this, on March 29, 2022, scientists unveiled that colossal ice volcanoes contribute to some of Pluto’s most intriguing surface characteristics. The evidence suggests ongoing geological activity, possibly with active eruptions still occurring.  Reflecting on the past year, it is astonishing to consider that we once had little insight into the nature of Pluto. However, the revelations quickly highlighted Pluto’s unique and unexpected qualities. The photo shared by @thebestfigen on social media platform X has triggered a wave of awe among netizens. With over 20k views, many users flooded the post expressing their astonishment and excitement. One user wrote, “I always thought Pluto would have a more vibrant color palette than this!” Another mentioned, “I want to see the funky aliens on the dark side of the moon.” A third added, “Amazing capture.” A fourth said, “Such a showstopper!”The beauty and complexity observed in Pluto and its moons have left us captivated, and anticipation for further discoveries remains high. It is noteworthy that New Horizons’ mission to Pluto stands out as a singular opportunity in the lifetimes of many, emphasising the exceptional nature of this space exploration endeavour.