Pictures of Pluto
Jul 16th 2015, 7:36 am
#76
snɐןɔ ʎʇıuɐs
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,558
Re: Pictures of Pluto
The spacecraft uses a giant dish antenna to communicate with NASA’s Deep Space Network. It’s no trivial effort, though; the beam is only 0.3-degrees wide and has to hit Earth from Pluto and, eventually, beyond.
We Reach Pluto Tomorrow! 10 Fast Facts About 'New Horizons' | Mental Floss
We Reach Pluto Tomorrow! 10 Fast Facts About 'New Horizons' | Mental Floss
Half power beamwidth is given by:
k is typically 70 for a parabolic dish, lambda is 0.0429m (7Ghz), and d is 2.1m. Thus theta = 1.43 deg. Maybe a bit better, since they don't slap these dishes together.
There are two potential Kuiper Belt Objects within the available manoeuvring fuel left. They will probably direct towards one of these in a few months time (if they get given the money).
Jul 16th 2015, 9:30 am
#77
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 10,678
Re: Pictures of Pluto
Right, you're going to make me do this, aren't you.
Half power beamwidth is given by:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/math/a/...518db0f7bc.png
k is typically 70 for a parabolic dish, lambda is 0.0429m (7Ghz), and d is 2.1m. Thus theta = 1.43 deg. Maybe a bit better, since they don't slap these dishes together.
Half power beamwidth is given by:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/math/a/...518db0f7bc.png
k is typically 70 for a parabolic dish, lambda is 0.0429m (7Ghz), and d is 2.1m. Thus theta = 1.43 deg. Maybe a bit better, since they don't slap these dishes together.
The alignment analysis showed that the HGA system could be accurately aligned to within 0.2° of the spacecraft spin-axis. An additional 0.1° misalignment with the DSN ground station pointing due to ephemeris is allowed for a total alignment budget of 0.3°.
The RF Telecommunications System for the New Horizons Mission to Pluto
Jul 17th 2015, 9:35 am
#78
snɐןɔ ʎʇıuɐs
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,558
Re: Pictures of Pluto
And this is the release image of Charon, showing what you might expect if the surface weren't quite so young (as it is on Pluto).
And this is a 3D animation of the Pluto ice mountains (if your browser is young enough)
http://i.imgur.com/ZiRD56E.gifv
And this is a 3D animation of the Pluto ice mountains (if your browser is young enough)
http://i.imgur.com/ZiRD56E.gifv
Jul 25th 2015, 12:45 am
#79
snɐןɔ ʎʇıuɐs
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,558
Re: Pictures of Pluto
Well, the initial data dump from New Horizons is over, and there will be nothing new for the next few months. However NASA have now released some bits from the last downloads.
A view of the atmosphere of Pluto, illuminated by the sun.
Evidence of flowing nitrogen ice, glaciers, which act to erase parts, and only parts, of the surface over time.
And finally, a flyover video of parts of the terrain discovered
A view of the atmosphere of Pluto, illuminated by the sun.
Evidence of flowing nitrogen ice, glaciers, which act to erase parts, and only parts, of the surface over time.
And finally, a flyover video of parts of the terrain discovered
