Planet Pluto springs a surprise

Paris, July 10: Pluto, a planet so puzzling that some say it isn't a planet at all, seems to be defying the laws of atmospheric physics, according to a study in 'Nature'.

In 1989, evidence suggested that Pluto was pulling away from the sun, implying that its surface temperature was falling and its atmosphere had begun to contract. But astronomers now say that not only has the atmosphere failed to collapse as expected, its pressure seems to have doubled over the past 14 years.

Also Pluto's atmosphere, believed to be mostly nitrogen derived from nitrogen ice, has warmed by around one degree C since perihelion in 1989.
Bureau Report