Space Science Experiments News Today

The red cap on Plutos moon Charon results when ultraviolet light and the solar wind interact with hydrocarbons and turn them into a soup of organic compounds called tholins.

This first-ever depiction of Charons methane atmosphere using fresh experimental data gives an insight into the origins of this moons red patch.

Scientists combined data from NASAs New Horizons mission with novel laboratory experiments and exospheric modelling to reveal the likely composition of the red cap on Plutos moon Charon and how it may have formed

Charon is Pluto's constant companion. Pluto and Charon orbit each other, though Charon is about half Pluto’s diameter.