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Study Unveils Pluto's 'Kiss and Capture' Origin

1/11/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A groundbreaking study reveals that Pluto and its moon Charon originated from a unique "kiss and capture" collision around 4 billion years ago, where they briefly fused before parting ways. This intriguing discovery hints at a hidden ocean beneath Pluto's icy surface, deepening our knowledge of moon formation in the distant Kuiper Belt.

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Story summary

A groundbreaking study reveals that Pluto and its moon Charon originated from a unique "kiss and capture" collision around 4 billion years ago, where they briefly fused before parting ways. This intriguing discovery hints at a hidden ocean beneath Pluto's icy surface, deepening our knowledge of moon formation in the distant Kuiper Belt.