How Pluto’s haze could explain its red spots

Collapse of atmosphere may influence blotchy surface colors

Pluto's hazy horizon

LAYERED HAZE  Not long after the New Horizons spacecraft buzzed Pluto, it captured an image revealing dozens of layers in Pluto’s atmosphere. That haze affects surface features such as the dwarf planet’s red patches, a new study suggests.

SwRI, JHUAPL, NASA

Pluto may get its smattering of red spots from the fallout of its hazy blue skies, researchers say.