5
$\begingroup$

There were theories that Pluto's atmosphere collapses when it gets too far from the sun.

Then I've read papers that says that it doesn't.

But NASA says that the surface pressure went down recently (implying that it does).

Is there any clear data as to what's going on?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Similar to Mars, Pluto's atmosphere can freeze on it's surface and later return to the atmosphere depending on temperature. The same thing happens on Earth with water vapor, but water's a tiny fraction of our atmosphere. Pluto may also be undergoing some gradual outgassing and permanent loss of it's surface, to atmosphere, to space, but I'm not 100% certain. $\endgroup$
    – userLTK
    Commented Jul 13, 2018 at 23:19

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4
$\begingroup$

Found this link by Emily Lakdawalla, she wrote a detailed explanation about Pluto`s seasons and its movement thru the solar system. Here research seems to contradict the atmosphere collapse and and here 3 models and research on Pluto. Seems the most likely model gives the highest pressure in the atmosphere between 2020 ad 2040, but none a atmosphere collapse. source

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ +1 for mentioning Ms. Lakdawalla. She and Phil Plait are the best references you can find for astronomy topics. $\endgroup$
    – Carl Witthoft
    Commented Jul 16, 2018 at 17:50

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .