Pluto-Charon system
Artist's Impression of the Pluto-Charon system. Observing a very rare occultation of a star by Pluto's satellite Charon from three different sites, including Paranal, home of the VLT, astronomers were able to determine with great accuracy the radius and density of the satellite to the farthest planet. The density, 1.71 that of water, is indicative of an icy body with about slightly more than half of rocks. The observations also put strong constraints on the existence of an atmosphere around Charon.
Credit:
ESO
About the Image
| Id: | eso0602a |
| Release Date: | 4 Jan 2006 |
| Related release: | eso0602 |
| Size: | 3000 x 2100 px |
About the Object
| Type: | • Illustrations |
