Pluto captured its largest moon Charon

'Kiss and capture': Scientists propose new explanation for Charon, Pluto's largest moon
Unlike Earth, where the Moon orbits the planet, Pluto and Charon orbit each other, forming a binary system that is more similar to the Earth-moon system than any other moon in the solar system.
Pluto May Have Captured Its Biggest Moon After an Ancient Dance and Kiss
Charon is large in size relative to Pluto, and is locked in a tight orbit with the dwarf planet. A new simulation suggests how it ended up there.
Pluto May Have Won Its Moon Charon with a ‘Kiss’
Pluto and its largest moon Charon could have come together via a 10-hour “kiss-and-capture” encounter after a grazing collision
Pluto-Charon formation scenario mimics Earth-Moon system
A researcher has used advanced models that indicate that the formation of Pluto and Charon may parallel that of the Earth-Moon system. Both systems include a moon that is a large fraction of the size of the main body,
New study suggests a completely different origin for Pluto’s largest moon
A new study suggests that the origin of Pluto's largest moon was quite different than our own. Here's what you need to know.
“Kiss and Capture:” The Icy Collision That Bound Pluto and Charon Forever
Pluto and Charon's origin story has been rewritten by a recent study, revealing they formed from a unique "kiss and capture" collision that defies traditional scientific theories. This discovery, emphasizing the structural integrity of icy worlds,
New "Kiss and Capture" Mechanism Might Explain The Formation Of Pluto And Charon
Our Moon is surprisingly massive compared to Earth, but that ratio is dwarfed if we consider Pluto and Charon. The latter is about 12 percent of the mass of Pluto and technically doesn’t orbit it. The pair of them orbit around a common center of mass outside of Pluto.

Blue Ghost Lunar Lander Heads to the Moon This Month

Earth's mini moon makes big comeback—but not for long
During its recent mini-moon stint, scientists studied the 2024 PT5 from Earth. Based on the cosmic object's composition and ...
Hosted on MSN4h
The moon is about to 'swallow' Mars for 4 hours — and you can watch it from the US
On Jan. 13, bright Mars will disappear behind the full moon for several hours. It's the only lunar occultation of Mars ...
Scientists stunned after learning Pluto and its biggest moon collided billions of years ago: ‘Raises a lot of interesting questions’
They needed some space. New research suggests Pluto may have had a “kiss” with its largest moon billions of years ago in a harmless collision. The report, published in “Nature ...
When is the next full moon? Look up early next week to see Wolf Moon in Michigan
The Wolf Moon, January's full moon, will reach peak illumination Monday. The previous full moon was December's Cold Moon.
NASA is calibrating new clocks so people can live on the moon
Researchers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have calculated a new system for measuring lunar time. While not needed ...
Live Science on MSN2d
What temperature is the moon?
"The temperature just wildly swings from extremely hot to extremely cold," John Monnier, a professor of astronomy at the ...
Nokia is about to bring cellular coverage to the moon
Here on Earth, carriers around the world are busy trying to expand their networks to bring cellular coverage to as many ...
Discover Magazine1d
NASA's LEXI Shoots to the Moon to Take First Full Images of Earth's Magnetic Field
Learn more about the NASA instrument’s mission to take the first full image of Earth’s magnetic field.