A new batch of images of Pluto have been released by NASA which may be the clearest anyone on Earth is likely to see in decades.
The breathtaking close-up photos were captured by the US space agency’s New Horizons spacecraft as it sped past the dwarf planet on July 14.
“These close-up images, showing the diversity of terrain on Pluto, demonstrate the power of our robotic planetary explorers to return intriguing data to scientists back here on planet Earth,” said John Grunsfeld, head of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in a statement.
“New Horizons thrilled us during the July flyby with the first close images of Pluto, and as the spacecraft transmits the treasure trove of images in its onboard memory back to us, we continue to be amazed by what we see.”
Ice mountains, vast plains and craters can be seen in the crystal clear images of the mysterious planet which lies some 7.5 billion kilometers from earth.
More photos are expected over the next week as data from the historic flyby is processed.
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