New Horizons Was Launched in 2006 to Fly by Pluto and its Moons

 Events
Jan 192024
 
New Horizons

New Horizons

New Horizons was launched in 2006 to fly by Pluto and its moons. The unmanned spacecraft flew closest to Pluto on July 14, 2015. The craft then studied Pluto’s five moons: Charon, Nix, Hydra, Styx, and Kerberos. After its work around Pluto was done, it was given a new mission, to study objects in the Kuiper Belt. It conducted a flyby of (486958) 2014 MU69 on January 1, 2019. After it has passed through the Kuiper Belt, it will study interstellar space. Children could learn a great deal more at: New Horizons.

Pluto Was Discovered in 1930 by Clyde W. Tombaugh

 Events
Feb 182024
 
Pluto

Pluto

Pluto was discovered in 1930 by Clyde W. Tombaugh. As far back as 1905, Percival Lowell felt that an unknown planet was influencing the orbits of Neptune and Uranus. However, he died without finding the planet. Tombaugh used Lowell’s work to predict the location and was successful in 1930. Pluto’s day is about six earth days, and its year is about 248 earth years. The average temperature is about -342 degrees to -369 degrees Fahrenheit. Pluto is named after the ancient god of the underworld. Pluto was demoted from planet to dwarf planet on August 24, 2006, by the International Astronomical Union. Children can learn more at: Pluto.

New Horizons Spacecraft Was Closest to Pluto in 2015

 Events
Jul 142024
 
New Horizons

New Horizons

New Horizons spacecraft was closest to Pluto in 2015. Launched on January 19, 2006, the spacecraft traveled three billion miles to achieve one of its goals, taking images of Pluto and Pluto’s five moons. When New Horizons was launched, George W. Bush was President, Pluto was still a planet, and Apple had not yet released its first iPhone. New Horizons, traveling at a rate of over 30,000 miles per hour, continues on its journey and will hopefully help us learn more about the Kuiper Belt. Children can learn more at: New Horizons.