Knowra Atmosphere of Pluto Atmosphere of Pluto Pluto’s tenuous atmosphere is composed mainly of nitrogen, with methane and carbon monoxide. It changes in extent and pressure as Pluto moves around the Sun.
Atmospheric sublimation : The transition of a substance from solid directly to gas, bypassing the liquid phase. Sunlight vaporizes surface nitrogen ice, supplying most of Pluto’s atmospheric gas.
Nitrogen : A chemical element with symbol N; molecular nitrogen gas consists of two bonded nitrogen atoms. Molecular nitrogen is the dominant gas in Pluto’s atmosphere and its chief surface volatile.
Stellar occultation : An event in which a celestial body passes in front of a star, allowing its atmosphere to be studied through starlight. The gradual dimming and recovery of stars revealed Pluto’s atmospheric refraction and pressure.
Pluto's climate : The long-term patterns of temperature, sunlight, and atmospheric behavior on Pluto. Atmospheric pressure and temperature vary with orbital season and surface volatile exchange.
Vapor pressure : The pressure exerted by a vapor in equilibrium with its condensed phase at a given temperature. Nitrogen ice temperature helps set the atmosphere’s surface pressure.
Methane : A simple hydrocarbon with formula CH₄, found as a gas and as ice on Pluto. Methane is a trace atmospheric gas and a constituent of Pluto’s surface ices.
New Horizons : NASA’s spacecraft that flew past Pluto in July 2015 and explored the Pluto system. Its instruments directly examined atmospheric composition, temperature, escape, and haze.
Pluto's surface geology : The landforms and geological processes that shape Pluto’s icy surface. Atmospheric deposition and frost migration contribute to changes in surface appearance.
Atmospheric escape : The loss of gas from an atmosphere into space. Pluto’s weak gravity allows atmospheric molecules to escape, especially from its extended upper atmosphere.
Carbon monoxide : A colorless gas with formula CO that occurs in Pluto’s atmosphere and surface ice. Its small atmospheric abundance was measured alongside nitrogen and methane.
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