7 Instruments Probe Pluto’s Secrets

By using 7 sophisticated instruments, the New Horizons probe has revealed new details about Pluto’s surface, atmosphere, and moons.

SOLAR WIND METER

The instrument measures how quickly the atmosphere loses gases, when the solar wind strikes it.

PARTICLE SPECTROMETER

The spectrometer measures the molecules escaping Pluto’s atmosphere due to solar wind.

RADIOMETER

The probe’s radiometer measures pressure and temperature in Pluto’s atmosphere and is able to reveal, if the dwarf planet’s moons have atmospheres.

UV SPECTROMETER

The instrument analyses the atmosphere’s content of chemicals.

DUST METER

The instrument measures the size and quantity of dust particles around Pluto. The data can provide scientists with new knowledge about Solar System developments.

LONG RANGE CAMERA

The probe’s long range camera takes high resolution photos across long distances. The camera was used to take photos of Pluto and its moons during the mission.

CAMERA

The probe’s camera, Ralph, photographs the surface of Pluto and its moons.