Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Unusual Pits Discovered on Pluto

NASA ^ | November 25, 2015 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: Why are there unusual pits on Pluto? The indentations were discovered during the New Horizons spacecraft's flyby of the dwarf planet in July. The largest pits span a kilometer across and dip tens of meters into a lake of frozen nitrogen, a lake that sprawls across Sputnik Planum, part of the famous light-colored heart-shaped region named Tombaugh Regio. Although most pits in the Solar System are created by impact craters, these depressions look different -- many are similarly sized, densely packed, and aligned. Rather, it is thought that something has caused these specific areas of ice to sublimate and evaporate away. In fact, the lack of overlying impact craters indicates these pits formed relatively recently. Even though the robotic New Horizons is now off to a new destination, it continues to beam back to Earth new images and data from its dramatic encounter with Pluto.

[lee martell]

Too many Bride-Zillas and “Real” Housewives of Transgendered Proctologists shows. No experience required.

[SunkenCiv]

Definitely.

[Talisker]

Those aren't pits...

[SunkenCiv]

:’)

[sphinx]

They heard the EU is open to refugees. But Obama is sending Kerry to offer asylum here.

[BRK]

Looks like that “HOLES” movie.

[Caipirabob]

Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Unusual Pits Discovered on Pluto

Union road workers on Pluto?

[shibumi]

Many seem to be assuming that these formed from the top down, by an impact of some sort.

When I look at the photo I'm am reminded more of the residue of a froth, as if the surface had been liquid (molten) and has had the equivalent of a carbonated effervescence that bubbled off leaving a pitted surface.

I think I've seen similar patterns in a milk shake or perhaps cake or pancake batter.

[o_1_2_3__]

Might be the Zazu Pits.

[bmwcyle]

I'm still an idiot.

[IronJack]

Better to find pits than Pitts. There’s one too many of the latter already.

[minnesota_bound]

Pluto is a alien spacecraft. Those are retro rockets.

[Talisker]

Excellent theory. Really good.

[SunkenCiv]

Good suggestion, plus, a tasty treat for the first visitors.

[Carthego delenda est]

Looks more that way to me as well, per my botfly hatch theory. I think yours is a bit more plausible though.

[Red Badger]

[fishtank]

[SunkenCiv]

Which one is Paul Newman? ;’)