Composition of PlutoThe core of Pluto is thought to be rocky. The mantle is thought to be ice. The surface is made up of potassium, methane, and nitrogen. The surface is also frozen for most of Pluto's year.
AtmosphereWhen Pluto is closes to the sun, the ice melts and creates a thin atmosphere of mainly nitrogen and some methane. Pluto's gravity is weak, so most of the atmosphere escapes into space. Any of the nitrogen and methane that is in the atmosphere still freezes and becomes ice as Pluto travels away from the sun to go further away from the sun.
Surface ConditionsWind Speeds: 225 mph, but due to the thin atmosphere, it would feel like 1 mph
Temperature Ranges: -233 C to -223 C (-387 F to -368 F) Surface (Atmospheric) Pressure: 100,000 times weaker than Earth's |