Pluto's Expanding Atmosphere Confounds Researchers, Pluto Atomosphere Options

[bagelverse]

Pluto's Expanding Atmosphere Confounds Researchers

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011...onf.html?ref=hp

Could these be evidence of geyers like on Triton?

[tasp]

Interesting.

A tenuous atmosphere extending almost 1/4 of the way to Charon. There won't be any rings, but as Pluto taketh away, so to it gives a bonus. We've seen discussed here earlier the effectiveness of an atmosphere like this for decel purposes for a lander/orbiter mission. (Most likely a very long time from now)

Nice that newly sensed characteristics of Pluto make it more interesting (good for stimulating mission concepts) and easier to maneuver a probe in it's environs.


Just doing a little math here, traversing 5000 kilometers of this 'atmosphere' at a start speed of 20 km/sec and slowing (uniformly, the math to do this right is beyond me) to near zero would occur in ~500 seconds. This does not seem unduly severe. (having a probe with an approach speed to Pluto of 20 km/sec seems kinda high though, but let's be generous) In actuality, peak decel would occur at closest approach to Pluto, and the decel rate would increase to that point and then taper off to zero as ones craft exited the other side. There would seem to be quite a variety of orbits available with this technique. (other than closely orbiting Pluto)


How big is the Plutonian Hill sphere?

As for geysers, sounds good. How does anyone feel about volcanoes?