‘A hallmark moment in human history’ as New Horizons’ epic journey culminates in Pluto flyby
Above is the last and most detailed image of Pluto sent to Earth before the moment of closest approach - 7:49 a.m. EDT. This stunning image of the dwarf planet was captured from New Horizons at about 4 p.m. EDT on July 13, about 16 hours before the moment of closest approach. The spacecraft was 766,000 kilometres from the surface. Members of the New Horizons science team react to the image.
“This is truly a hallmark in human history,” said John Grunsfeld, NASA’s science mission chief.
The United States is now the only nation to visit every single planet in the solar system. Pluto was No. 9 in the lineup when New Horizons departed Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 19, 2006, but was demoted seven months later to dwarf status. Scientists in charge of the US$720 million mission, as well as NASA officials, hope the new observations will restore Pluto’s honour.
PHOTOS: NASA, Bill Ingalls