Flowing nitrogen ice glaciers seen on Pluto as Nasa's space probe flies past
Pluto is showing a diversity of planetary geology that is "truly thrilling".
Flowing nitrogen ice glaciers have been glimpsed on the surface of Pluto, along with an unexpectedly thick layer of haze in the atmosphere, scientists said.
The discoveries are the result of this month's fly-past by the New Horizon unmanned probe of US space agency, Nasa, which offered unprecedented views as it flew 450,000km away from the dwarf planet.
"With flowing ice, exotic surface chemistry, mountain ranges and vast haze, Pluto is showing a diversity of planetary geology that is truly thrilling," said John Grunsfeld, Nasa associate administrator of the Science Mission Directorate.
Scientists have seen closer images of the western half of the heart-shape, known as Tombaugh Regio, on Pluto's surface, where ice seems to be moving and smoothing out the surface.
"At Pluto's temperatures of minus-390 degrees Fahrenheit [minus-234 Celsius], these ices can flow like a glacier," said Bill McKinnon, deputy leader of the New Horizons Geology, Geophysics and Imaging team at Washington University in the US.
The spacecraft also filmed hazes up to 130km above Pluto.