NASA's New Horizons probe captured this high-resolution view of Ultima Thule in the distant Kuiper Belt a billion miles past Pluto on New Years Day. The image was sent back to Earth on Jan. 18-19.
Posted on 01/25/2019 9:27:01 AM PST by BenLurkin
"The oblique lighting of this image reveals new topographic details along the day/night boundary, or terminator, near the top," according to the APL release. "These details include numerous small pits up to about 0.4 miles in diameter. The large circular feature, about 4 miles across, on the smaller of the two lobes, also appears to be a deep depression.
"Not clear is whether these pits are impact craters or features resulting from other processes, such as 'collapse pits' or the ancient venting of volatile materials."
The two lobes show "intriguing light and dark patterns of unknown origin, which may reveal clues about how this body was assembled during the formation of the solar system 4.5 billion years ago. One of the most striking of these is the bright 'collar' separating the two lobes."
NASA's New Horizons probe captured this high-resolution view of Ultima Thule in the distant Kuiper Belt a billion miles past Pluto on New Years Day. The image was sent back to Earth on Jan. 18-19.
NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
Fascinating geology.
Thanks for posting.
Thanks BenLurkin.
Thanks for posting. One possibility for the big depression on the smaller lobe is that the two lobes were separate bodies that were in a very low speed collision (kissing), and did not bounce apart but rather remained in contact, rotating and grinding against each other till the surface speeds matched and then gently fused together as seen now. The depression could have been caused by the first contact or the effects of the rotational grinding surfaces in contact, over a long time, before fusing together. Just a educated guess.
You’re right. It does have the shape of a Schmoo.
It’s a cosmic chew-toy.
Somebody launched an Easter Island stone carving into space!
Ultima Thule? is that from Ghost Busters?
—
Wasn’t that the thing in Dana Barrett’s (Sigourney Weaver) fridge?
That’s Frosto. Frosty’s cyclops snowman cousin.
Ultima Thule also is the name of an Airforce base in northern Greenland. (Cross country skiing? Snowmobiling? Ice sculpting contests? Winter sports! To be honest I have never been there except on the internet!)
Welcome Package Thule Air Base!
"Congratulations on your assignment to Thule Air Base, Greenland! You'll soon find out why so many people say this is the best isolated/remote tour for an Air Force member. While that may take some time for you to believe, it is a fact. Quality of life and the pride and professionalism of the base will soon show you why your new assignment will be a truly outstanding one. By thoroughly reading the following guide we hope you will find the information extremely valuable in assisting you in your transition process to Thule Air Base"
Restaurant at the top (end) of the world!
(Another Nice Thule Picture!)
Yikes
If I wanted to go all out there Sci-Fi, it looks like a giant circular trap door on the larger object, and a death beam focusing device on the smaller. OR, a Death Star has been captured or attached to the Larger object.
It will be interesting to see what they find!
That white collar could be cosmic crazy glue. How can that thing last so long without cracking or being shed off?
Cosmic poo-poo?
Schmoos’ from Lil’ Abner,,,
My first thought.
That was Zuul.
That was Zuul.
lighten up francis.
Another astounding example of humans using their God-given talents (and the raw materials He provided, here on Earth) to extend our understanding of His creation -- and to satisfy the curiosity He gave us as a motivating force...
TXnMA
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