NASA data suggests that Pluto’s equator has been rolled with methane ice spires

The skyscraper shape of methane ice can cover about 60% of the equatorial region of Pluto, which is actually a larger area compared to estimated astronomers. The study was published on 5 July 2025 in the Journal of Geofigical Reeserch. It was based on data from NASA’s new horizon spacecraft, which captured its close images about 10 years ago on 14 July, 2025. The flyb, between the spacecraft located in the methane ice spire, is about 1000 feet tall each.

Pluto’s methane spires expand the huge equatorial region with an uncertain pattern

According to NASA data They separate at a distance of 4.4 miles in a size that are somewhat parallel rows and create a geological characteristic called bladed terrain. These features appear to be large and more spread of the earth’s penitals which is a composition of water snow that makes a maximum of 9 feet. About the same structure was observed on the Moon of Jupiter named Europa and can also be on Mars.

The additional data collected on infrared frequencies indicated that most of the dwarf planet’s area was methane rich, which shows that there are also spires. The results suggest that the blade area of methane ice spires is present in a band which extends about 60% of the circumference of the planet.

Future missions are required to confirm Pluto’s mysterious methane landscape

This is equal to five times the width of the United States continental part, seen on the majority non-enocover hemisphere. However, it is still sure if it is sure Is the band patchy or evenThe band is spread to the south and north of the equator of Pluto to 30 degrees south and north.

The formation of the bladed area depends on the long -term cycle condensation and the action of making the methane. These are controlled by the weather of Pluto and its orbital variations. Direct evidence will be required to confirm recent comments by scientists. The most definite way of confirming the expansion of the bladed area in the dark side of Pluto is the future spacecraft mission.