NASA: Pluto's Moons Tumble In Chaotic Motion
Astronomers have recently published a study describing the chaotic, unpredictable movements of Pluto’s smaller moons which have been attributed to their football-like shape and the variable gravitational force Pluto and its largest lunar body Charon have on the system.
Pluto’s moons are stirring interest in the scientific community for their unpredictable movements,
A recently published study which aimed to calculate their orbits has revealed just how chaotic the rotations actually are.
Apparently, two of the small moons, Nix and Hydra, can be seen moving around their own axes regardless of which side faces the central mass; this is unusual behavior for lunar bodies.
For example, the speed, direction of rotation, and
Pluto’s moons are stirring interest in the scientific community for their unpredictable movements,
A recently published study which aimed to calculate their orbits has revealed just how chaotic the rotations actually are.
Apparently, two of the small moons, Nix and Hydra, can be seen moving around their own axes regardless of which side faces the central mass; this is unusual behavior for lunar bodies.
For example, the speed, direction of rotation, and
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