Pluto reflectance map: Whale and the Donut

July 8, 2015

Topic

Maps  /  ,

Using images taken by New Horizons between June 27 and July 3, this is the latest NASA map informally named the Whale and the Donut. Now, use your imagination here (because space!). The dark area on left is the whale, representing about 1,860 miles of length, and the tail in the left corner is cupping the donut.

Hopefully we’ll get a better look come next week. I’m guessing they’re an actual whale and donut. But I’m no scientist.