Pluto, once our solar system’s ninth planet and now reclassified as a dwarf planet, has always fascinated astronomers and the public alike. Its demotion in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union was a blow to many who had grown up considering it the furthest member of our planetary family.1
However, recent discoveries have given us a new reason to marvel at this distant world: Pluto might harbor a vast subsurface ocean.
An Ocean beneath the Ice
Recent research, including findings from NASA’s New Horizons mission, suggests that beneath Pluto’s icy crust lies a massive ocean of liquid water. This revelation comes from a combination of observations and sophisticated models that point to geological activity inconsistent with a frozen, inert body. (ref)
Pluto’s surface features, such as the heart-shaped Sputnik Planitia, exhibit signs of cryovolcanism—volcanoes that erupt water instead of lava. These icy volcanoes indicate the presence of liquid beneath the surface.
The cracks and bulges in Pluto’s ice shell, specifically around Sputnik Planitia, suggest the ocean below pushes against the crust, creating these dramatic surface features.
How Can Pluto Have Liquid Water?
Given Pluto’s frigid location, about 5.9 billion kilometers from the Sun, it’s natural to wonder how liquid water can exist there. The key lies in a combination of radioactive decay in its core and the insulating properties of its ice shell.
The ice shell is believed to be 40 to 80 kilometers thick, acting as a thermal blanket that prevents the internal ocean from freezing solid. Additionally, a layer of gas hydrates, likely composed of methane, may further insulate the ocean, keeping it in a liquid state for billions of years.
Implications for Planetary Science
The discovery of a subsurface ocean on Pluto has profound implications. It challenges our understanding of where life-sustaining environments might be found in the solar system. Traditionally, such environments were thought to exist only in more hospitable zones, but Pluto’s ocean suggests that even distant, cold bodies could harbor the conditions necessary for life.
This discovery aligns Pluto with other icy bodies like Jupiter’s moon, Europa, and Saturn’s moon, Enceladus, both of which are known to have subsurface oceans. The presence of these oceans is primarily due to gravitational interactions with their parent planets, but Pluto, lacking such a massive companion, retains its ocean through different means, expanding our understanding of the conditions that can support liquid water.(ref)
The Future of Pluto Exploration
While current missions to Pluto are limited, the tantalizing evidence of a subsurface ocean sets the stage for future exploration. Researchers and space agencies are considering more advanced missions that could potentially confirm the existence and characteristics of this hidden ocean.
These missions could include orbiters or landers equipped with instruments designed to penetrate the ice and provide direct evidence of the ocean beneath.
As we continue to explore our solar system, Pluto’s hidden ocean serves as a compelling reminder that there is still much to learn about the distant reaches of our cosmic neighborhood. Each discovery brings us closer to understanding not only our own planet but also the potential for life elsewhere in the universe.
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Source:
- https://www.iau.org/public/themes/pluto/
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
