1
00:00:01,302 --> 00:00:03,135
Narrator: 3.5 billion miles
2
00:00:03,137 --> 00:00:06,071
From earth,
3
00:00:06,073 --> 00:00:08,440
Beyond jupiter,
4
00:00:08,442 --> 00:00:10,609
Saturn,
5
00:00:10,611 --> 00:00:13,979
Past uranus and neptune
6
00:00:13,981 --> 00:00:18,083
Hides pluto and its five moons.
7
00:00:20,254 --> 00:00:23,055
Discovered in 1930,
for decades,
8
00:00:23,057 --> 00:00:25,557
We knew almost nothing about it.
9
00:00:27,895 --> 00:00:30,329
As a child, I learned that pluto
10
00:00:30,331 --> 00:00:32,931
Was a mysterious gray rock.
11
00:00:35,036 --> 00:00:36,835
Narrator: So in 2006,
12
00:00:36,837 --> 00:00:40,773
Nasa launched a rocket
carrying a lightweight probe.
13
00:00:40,775 --> 00:00:43,742
Man: All telemetry is nominal.
14
00:00:43,744 --> 00:00:47,312
Narrator:
The spacecraft returned
the first ever close-up images
15
00:00:47,314 --> 00:00:49,181
Of pluto's surface...
16
00:00:49,183 --> 00:00:53,452
Bowman: We've recorded data
of the pluto system.
17
00:00:53,454 --> 00:00:59,625
Narrator:
...And sent our understanding
of this icy world into disarray.
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00:00:59,627 --> 00:01:02,194
Hand:
The data return has forced us
19
00:01:02,196 --> 00:01:05,931
To rethink everything
about pluto.
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00:01:05,933 --> 00:01:09,535
Narrator:
Incredible new discoveries
about pluto are even changing
21
00:01:09,537 --> 00:01:13,272
Our understanding
of life beyond earth.
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Howett: No one in their
right mind would have thought
23
00:01:14,642 --> 00:01:17,576
Pluto had life,
but now it's a possibility.
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00:01:17,578 --> 00:01:19,878
And that in itself
is kind of mind blowing.
25
00:01:22,516 --> 00:01:27,186
Narrator:
This is the story of how pluto
came back from the dead.
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00:01:27,188 --> 00:01:31,056
♪♪
27
00:01:31,058 --> 00:01:34,059
-- Captions by vitac --
www.Vitac.Com
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00:01:34,061 --> 00:01:37,096
Captions paid for by
discovery communications
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00:01:38,899 --> 00:01:42,401
In 2006,
a visionary team of scientists
30
00:01:42,403 --> 00:01:46,105
Began
a groundbreaking mission --
31
00:01:46,107 --> 00:01:50,375
To send a craft father into
deep space than ever before.
32
00:01:52,813 --> 00:01:55,581
Its mission --
to explore the far reaches
33
00:01:55,583 --> 00:01:57,149
Of our solar system
34
00:01:57,151 --> 00:02:01,420
And take the first
ever close-up image of pluto
35
00:02:01,422 --> 00:02:04,189
Before continuing
into deep space.
36
00:02:06,861 --> 00:02:12,097
Named new horizons, it would
take more than nine years
37
00:02:12,099 --> 00:02:16,268
To make the 3.5 billion-mile
voyage to pluto.
38
00:02:16,270 --> 00:02:24,109
♪♪
39
00:02:24,111 --> 00:02:25,611
Keeping things on track
40
00:02:25,613 --> 00:02:29,882
Was mission operations manager
alice bowman.
41
00:02:29,884 --> 00:02:32,017
This is the best picture
of pluto
42
00:02:32,019 --> 00:02:35,053
That we had
before new horizons arrived,
43
00:02:35,055 --> 00:02:38,323
And this was taken
by the hubble space telescope,
44
00:02:38,325 --> 00:02:41,426
And it was the picture
that inspired us
45
00:02:41,428 --> 00:02:43,462
To send a spacecraft to pluto.
46
00:02:43,464 --> 00:02:45,464
[ lock beeps ]
47
00:02:48,369 --> 00:02:51,270
Narrator: But just days before
the probe's arrival,
48
00:02:51,272 --> 00:02:53,572
A crisis occurred.
49
00:02:56,844 --> 00:02:58,076
[ static ]
50
00:02:58,078 --> 00:03:01,680
The team lost all contact
with new horizons.
51
00:03:04,585 --> 00:03:08,787
Bowman: Pluto "a" mom
on new horizons, pluto 1.
52
00:03:08,789 --> 00:03:12,991
Could you advise why we are not
locking up to telemetry?
53
00:03:12,993 --> 00:03:14,960
Woman: Mom, pluto "a," stand by.
54
00:03:14,962 --> 00:03:19,298
I'll check with the station
on the status of telemetry.
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00:03:19,300 --> 00:03:22,534
Narrator: New horizons
was designed to fly past pluto,
56
00:03:22,536 --> 00:03:24,770
Taking pictures as it went.
57
00:03:27,675 --> 00:03:30,242
If they didn't regain contact,
58
00:03:30,244 --> 00:03:33,545
It would fly past
without recording a thing.
59
00:03:36,116 --> 00:03:38,317
Woman #2: Station 43, pluto "s."
60
00:03:38,319 --> 00:03:40,319
Woman:
Mom on new horizons, pluto 1.
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00:03:40,321 --> 00:03:42,187
Go ahead, pluto "a."
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00:03:42,189 --> 00:03:44,456
Narrator:
After a nerve-wracking hour,
63
00:03:44,458 --> 00:03:48,727
The team finally received
a weak signal from the probe.
64
00:03:48,729 --> 00:03:51,830
We found the spacecraft,
it was responding to us,
65
00:03:51,832 --> 00:03:55,067
It was giving us information,
but it was in a state
66
00:03:55,069 --> 00:03:58,770
That could not accomplish
the encounter with pluto.
67
00:04:02,209 --> 00:04:05,677
We determined that we had asked
the processor on board
68
00:04:05,679 --> 00:04:11,483
The spacecraft to do
too many labor-intensive things,
69
00:04:11,485 --> 00:04:14,353
And the spacecraft switched over
to the redundant
70
00:04:14,355 --> 00:04:16,855
Or backup computer.
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00:04:16,857 --> 00:04:19,424
Narrator:
New horizons was back online,
72
00:04:19,426 --> 00:04:23,295
But not functioning at 100%.
73
00:04:23,297 --> 00:04:26,932
All non-essential systems
had shut down,
74
00:04:26,934 --> 00:04:29,601
Including the cameras.
75
00:04:29,603 --> 00:04:33,839
If the team couldn't re-upload
the mission code in time,
76
00:04:33,841 --> 00:04:37,776
New horizons would miss
its fly by.
77
00:04:37,778 --> 00:04:41,513
And it took us three days
to do that.
78
00:04:41,515 --> 00:04:44,583
We slept in our offices.
79
00:04:44,585 --> 00:04:48,820
No one wanted to leave because
we had waited all this time
80
00:04:48,822 --> 00:04:50,522
And there was no way
81
00:04:50,524 --> 00:04:55,827
That we were going to let
this opportunity slip by.
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00:04:55,829 --> 00:04:59,631
Narrator:
Once the team re-uploaded
the computer commands,
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00:04:59,633 --> 00:05:01,900
All they could do was wait.
84
00:05:04,305 --> 00:05:06,672
Bowman:
It was a very anxious time.
85
00:05:09,043 --> 00:05:12,577
Narrator: Traveling past pluto
more than 10 times faster
86
00:05:12,579 --> 00:05:17,349
Than a speeding bullet
meant every new line of code
87
00:05:17,351 --> 00:05:20,085
Needed to work
with meticulous precision.
88
00:05:23,557 --> 00:05:26,725
Until the spacecraft
beamed back a signal,
89
00:05:26,727 --> 00:05:30,462
The team would have no idea
if the new commands had worked.
90
00:05:30,464 --> 00:05:35,867
♪♪
91
00:05:35,869 --> 00:05:38,070
Bowman:
The atmosphere was very intense.
92
00:05:38,072 --> 00:05:41,340
We were all anxiously awaiting
that first bit of telemetry
93
00:05:41,342 --> 00:05:44,343
To tell us that the spacecraft
had survived.
94
00:05:44,345 --> 00:05:46,678
Mom on pluto 1.
95
00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:49,481
We have
a healthy spacecraft.
96
00:05:49,483 --> 00:05:53,118
We've recorded data
of the pluto system.
97
00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:54,886
And we're outbound
for pluto.
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00:05:54,888 --> 00:05:57,589
[ cheers and applause ]
99
00:05:59,326 --> 00:06:05,297
Narrator: The fly by was
a success, and pluto's surface
100
00:06:05,299 --> 00:06:09,334
Came into focus
for the very first time.
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00:06:11,004 --> 00:06:13,839
Bowman: It was amazing.
102
00:06:13,841 --> 00:06:17,743
It just blew our minds that
something could be so beautiful.
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00:06:20,781 --> 00:06:25,049
Narrator: What new horizons
sent back was astonishing.
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00:06:25,051 --> 00:06:31,490
♪♪
105
00:06:31,492 --> 00:06:37,963
♪♪
106
00:06:37,965 --> 00:06:40,332
The probe had taken
thousands of photographs
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00:06:40,334 --> 00:06:43,902
Of pluto's surface.
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00:06:43,904 --> 00:06:48,874
Multiple cameras
had charted the topography.
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00:06:48,876 --> 00:06:52,444
A spectrograph detected what
the surface was made from...
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00:06:56,183 --> 00:06:59,284
...Revealing pluto's secrets
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00:06:59,286 --> 00:07:02,454
For the first time
in spectacular detail.
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00:07:04,525 --> 00:07:06,158
Leslie young and jeff moore
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00:07:06,160 --> 00:07:08,960
Are two of the project's
leading scientists.
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00:07:12,065 --> 00:07:16,468
Their job -- to decipher
this mysterious alien world.
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00:07:19,373 --> 00:07:21,106
When these images arrived,
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00:07:21,108 --> 00:07:26,111
The team was struck
by pluto's familiar appearance.
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00:07:26,113 --> 00:07:28,346
These mountains down here,
they look an awful lot
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00:07:28,348 --> 00:07:30,582
Like earth mountains.
They're snow capped.
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00:07:30,584 --> 00:07:33,552
These guys are
four kilometers tall,
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00:07:33,554 --> 00:07:35,987
Just like
the rocky mountains are.
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00:07:38,826 --> 00:07:40,158
But unlike earth,
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00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:43,595
These mountains
were made from ice, not rock.
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00:07:47,301 --> 00:07:51,236
Pluto is so far from the sun,
the scientists were expecting
124
00:07:51,238 --> 00:07:55,574
An almost
featureless frozen sphere.
125
00:07:55,576 --> 00:07:58,043
Instead, new horizons revealed
126
00:07:58,045 --> 00:08:01,847
Pluto to be a world
of puzzling complexity.
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00:08:05,419 --> 00:08:07,853
There were craters
of every size...
128
00:08:11,625 --> 00:08:16,495
...Gaping canyons
and vast plains covered in snow,
129
00:08:16,497 --> 00:08:19,264
And ice-forged mountains,
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00:08:19,266 --> 00:08:24,669
All of it mysteriously colored
from deep red to bright white.
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00:08:24,671 --> 00:08:28,073
Young:
We knew pluto was going to be
scientifically astonishing.
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00:08:28,075 --> 00:08:31,610
We didn't know
it was going to be so beautiful.
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Nobody expected to see
anything like this.
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00:08:34,982 --> 00:08:41,586
♪♪
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00:08:41,588 --> 00:08:46,057
Pluto's full glory
had finally been revealed
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00:08:46,059 --> 00:08:48,560
85 years after it was discovered
137
00:08:48,562 --> 00:08:51,863
By american astronomer
clyde tombaugh.
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00:08:55,569 --> 00:08:57,435
Its distance from earth
has meant that
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00:08:57,437 --> 00:08:59,738
For much of the time
we've known about it,
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00:08:59,740 --> 00:09:02,307
Pluto has remained a mystery.
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00:09:06,013 --> 00:09:08,079
The first thing to know
about pluto
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00:09:08,081 --> 00:09:11,816
Is that it's very small
and really far away.
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00:09:13,854 --> 00:09:16,688
We're standing on a lake bed,
a frozen lake in colorado.
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00:09:16,690 --> 00:09:20,659
Let's pretend that this is
the plane of the solar system,
145
00:09:20,661 --> 00:09:23,128
And over there,
the ice resurfacing machine,
146
00:09:23,130 --> 00:09:25,997
We'll call that the sun.
That's where the sun is.
147
00:09:25,999 --> 00:09:28,066
Then we're roughly
where earth is.
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00:09:28,068 --> 00:09:31,870
But of course, earth is much
smaller, if I don't break it.
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00:09:31,872 --> 00:09:33,138
Here is the earth,
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00:09:33,140 --> 00:09:35,807
Roughly a centimeter across,
something like that.
151
00:09:35,809 --> 00:09:39,044
Now, pluto, by comparison,
would be a grain of sand.
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00:09:39,046 --> 00:09:40,912
That grain of sand
would not be here,
153
00:09:40,914 --> 00:09:42,480
Of course, in this part
of the solar system.
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00:09:42,482 --> 00:09:43,982
It's in the outer part
155
00:09:43,984 --> 00:09:47,052
And it would be roughly on that
mountaintop right over there.
156
00:09:47,054 --> 00:09:50,255
So about six kilometers away
would be pluto.
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00:09:53,327 --> 00:09:56,461
Narrator: Pluto's extreme
distance from earth meant that
158
00:09:56,463 --> 00:10:01,032
Very little was known about it
before new horizons arrived.
159
00:10:01,034 --> 00:10:06,071
Astronomers knew that it was
cold enough to be made from ice.
160
00:10:06,073 --> 00:10:11,042
They knew that it was small
and that it had company.
161
00:10:11,044 --> 00:10:15,780
Showalter: Pluto is not alone.
In fact, it has five moons.
162
00:10:15,782 --> 00:10:18,817
Narrator:
Tiny pluto isn't one body,
163
00:10:18,819 --> 00:10:22,187
But a whole system
of icy worlds,
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00:10:22,189 --> 00:10:25,857
All engaged in a strange
and complex dance.
165
00:10:28,128 --> 00:10:30,629
And as new horizons
approached pluto,
166
00:10:30,631 --> 00:10:33,398
The scientists were able
to see them in detail
167
00:10:33,400 --> 00:10:35,300
For the very first time.
168
00:10:37,671 --> 00:10:43,341
Pluto's first and largest moon
is charon.
169
00:10:43,343 --> 00:10:45,577
Showalter: Charon is remarkably
large compared to pluto.
170
00:10:45,579 --> 00:10:50,181
It's about half the size,
and they're very close.
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00:10:50,183 --> 00:10:52,484
Sometimes we call them
a binary planet
172
00:10:52,486 --> 00:10:54,486
Because, in fact,
they orbit together
173
00:10:54,488 --> 00:10:56,187
As if there were a rod
between them
174
00:10:56,189 --> 00:11:00,492
And they were two ends
of a lopsided dumbbell.
175
00:11:00,494 --> 00:11:04,229
Narrator: Pluto's moon, charon,
doesn't orbit pluto.
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00:11:04,231 --> 00:11:07,365
Unusually,
the two bodies orbit each other
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00:11:07,367 --> 00:11:11,436
Around a point in empty space.
178
00:11:11,438 --> 00:11:14,539
Beyond charon
are for smaller moons --
179
00:11:14,541 --> 00:11:18,443
Hydra, kerberos, nix, and styx.
180
00:11:18,445 --> 00:11:21,913
But why does a tiny dwarf planet
have so many moons
181
00:11:21,915 --> 00:11:24,382
In such
an unusual configuration?
182
00:11:26,820 --> 00:11:32,791
The data sent back from
new horizons offered a clue.
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00:11:34,428 --> 00:11:39,164
♪♪
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00:11:39,166 --> 00:11:41,599
Pluto has largely remained
a mystery
185
00:11:41,601 --> 00:11:46,371
Since its discovery in 1930.
186
00:11:46,373 --> 00:11:50,141
Why does this tiny planet
have so many moons
187
00:11:50,143 --> 00:11:52,577
And why has it formed
a binary orbit
188
00:11:52,579 --> 00:11:55,113
With its largest satellite,
charon?
189
00:11:58,051 --> 00:12:00,118
So there was a proto pluto
190
00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:02,854
Out there very early in the
history of the solar system,
191
00:12:02,856 --> 00:12:06,124
And something else hit it,
something very, very big.
192
00:12:10,230 --> 00:12:15,166
Pluto kind of blew apart...
193
00:12:15,168 --> 00:12:19,304
And eventually re-coalesced,
194
00:12:19,306 --> 00:12:21,639
But all that material
that was floating around,
195
00:12:21,641 --> 00:12:24,309
A lot of it formed into charon.
196
00:12:26,947 --> 00:12:28,947
And the two got
kind of stuck together
197
00:12:28,949 --> 00:12:30,615
As they evolved
into this perfect
198
00:12:30,617 --> 00:12:33,084
Circular dumbbell system.
199
00:12:33,086 --> 00:12:35,120
Maybe there were
some debris left over
200
00:12:35,122 --> 00:12:36,955
That landed further out
201
00:12:36,957 --> 00:12:40,792
And that became hydra
and kerberos and nix and styx.
202
00:12:42,963 --> 00:12:46,397
Narrator:
And the photos new horizons
took a pluto's surface support
203
00:12:46,399 --> 00:12:49,067
Mark's early impact theory.
204
00:12:49,069 --> 00:12:54,139
♪♪
205
00:12:54,141 --> 00:12:56,975
We think this was
a big impact crater
206
00:12:56,977 --> 00:12:59,244
Just from
the shape of it, really.
207
00:12:59,246 --> 00:13:01,980
This is probably
an ancient crater rim
208
00:13:01,982 --> 00:13:04,249
Of a huge impact
209
00:13:04,251 --> 00:13:06,684
That must have happened
early on
210
00:13:06,686 --> 00:13:08,853
When pluto was still
very young.
211
00:13:08,855 --> 00:13:11,189
So this is about
1,000 kilometers across.
212
00:13:11,191 --> 00:13:13,358
Probably something
about 200 kilometers across
213
00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:16,628
Came in and hit pluto.
214
00:13:16,630 --> 00:13:19,831
New horizons carried
a spectrograph,
215
00:13:19,833 --> 00:13:24,536
An instrument that analyzes
chemical composition.
216
00:13:24,538 --> 00:13:27,639
It revealed that much
of pluto's freezing surface
217
00:13:27,641 --> 00:13:31,876
Is covered by soft
nitrogen ice.
218
00:13:31,878 --> 00:13:34,946
Normally a gas on earth,
219
00:13:34,948 --> 00:13:38,383
The scientists believe
that vast amounts of nitrogen
220
00:13:38,385 --> 00:13:41,653
Flowed into
this enormous crater.
221
00:13:41,655 --> 00:13:45,523
We're pretty sure we understand
that what makes up the plane
222
00:13:45,525 --> 00:13:51,229
Is a vast reservoir
of solid nitrogen ice,
223
00:13:51,231 --> 00:13:56,434
Which, even though it's solid,
is very soft.
224
00:13:56,436 --> 00:14:01,906
Like a glacier,
but made from nitrogen ice.
225
00:14:01,908 --> 00:14:05,777
The area was informally
dubbed pluto's heart,
226
00:14:05,779 --> 00:14:09,981
And it raised
some big questions.
227
00:14:09,983 --> 00:14:14,752
It had all these weird forms
and textures on the surface.
228
00:14:14,754 --> 00:14:18,890
Some stand out quite clearly,
some are very subtle.
229
00:14:20,961 --> 00:14:25,496
What scientists saw
was astonishing.
230
00:14:25,498 --> 00:14:29,033
But what they didn't see
was just as remarkable.
231
00:14:32,706 --> 00:14:34,772
The other thing that struck us
was the fact
232
00:14:34,774 --> 00:14:39,110
There was no impact craters
anywhere in this huge expanse,
233
00:14:41,548 --> 00:14:46,451
The field's lack of impact
craters was a revelation.
234
00:14:46,453 --> 00:14:48,953
This isn't an extinct world.
This is an active world
235
00:14:48,955 --> 00:14:51,756
In which geological processes
are operating today,
236
00:14:51,758 --> 00:14:54,726
And they're destroying
any evidence for past cratering.
237
00:14:54,728 --> 00:14:57,595
And that was
truly remarkable.
238
00:14:57,597 --> 00:15:01,399
The new horizons planetary
scientists were stumped.
239
00:15:01,401 --> 00:15:05,970
Their photos showed no craters
and a mysterious pattern.
240
00:15:05,972 --> 00:15:10,241
♪♪
241
00:15:10,243 --> 00:15:13,011
And here's the reason why....
Meteorologist mary lee
242
00:15:13,013 --> 00:15:15,380
Was not involved
in the new horizons mission.
243
00:15:15,382 --> 00:15:17,248
And that will bring showers
for us.
244
00:15:17,250 --> 00:15:20,285
But to her,
the shapes are a familiar sight.
245
00:15:20,287 --> 00:15:22,654
All right, mary, thank you.
Sure.
246
00:15:22,656 --> 00:15:26,958
These are stratocumulus clouds.
So really, you can see
247
00:15:26,960 --> 00:15:31,596
That puffy, lumpy texture
of those cloud tops.
248
00:15:31,598 --> 00:15:34,599
You can actually see
the boundaries of these clouds
249
00:15:34,601 --> 00:15:36,935
And it kind of forms
a bit of a hexagonal shape
250
00:15:36,937 --> 00:15:39,704
Across our atmosphere.
251
00:15:39,706 --> 00:15:42,240
Narrator: These repeating shapes
are very similar
252
00:15:42,242 --> 00:15:46,477
To what scientists see
in pluto's heart.
253
00:15:46,479 --> 00:15:48,346
They're a result of
the unique way
254
00:15:48,348 --> 00:15:51,916
That these clouds are formed.
255
00:15:51,918 --> 00:15:54,185
You have the sun
heating the surface.
256
00:15:54,187 --> 00:15:57,422
That warm air rises,
and the liquid droplets,
257
00:15:57,424 --> 00:16:00,325
They condense,
and so they form these clouds.
258
00:16:00,327 --> 00:16:01,893
And the top of these clouds,
259
00:16:01,895 --> 00:16:05,296
It's very cold air,
so that cold air sinks.
260
00:16:05,298 --> 00:16:08,032
This process
is called convection.
261
00:16:08,034 --> 00:16:11,436
You have this cycle of warm air
rising and cold air sinking,
262
00:16:11,438 --> 00:16:13,371
And that's a convective cell.
263
00:16:16,142 --> 00:16:18,910
Narrator: Scientists recognized
convection cells
264
00:16:18,912 --> 00:16:22,180
Across pluto's heart
and realized
265
00:16:22,182 --> 00:16:26,084
That the soft nitrogen ice
there is slowly churning.
266
00:16:28,922 --> 00:16:32,623
With the process
behind the pattern identified,
267
00:16:32,625 --> 00:16:34,892
Scientists had a new question.
268
00:16:37,130 --> 00:16:38,596
The images are telling us
269
00:16:38,598 --> 00:16:42,567
That there's some sort of
geological processing going on.
270
00:16:42,569 --> 00:16:46,304
How could that be powered?
271
00:16:46,306 --> 00:16:50,308
Narrator: On earth, the heat
that powers geological activity
272
00:16:50,310 --> 00:16:52,043
Doesn't come from the sun,
273
00:16:52,045 --> 00:16:56,014
But from radioactive elements
deep within earth's mantle.
274
00:16:58,284 --> 00:17:02,787
Hand: Radioactive decay within
the earth provides enough heat
275
00:17:02,789 --> 00:17:06,257
To produce all of the volcanoes
that we see,
276
00:17:06,259 --> 00:17:11,529
The tectonic activity that leads
to the uplift of mountains,
277
00:17:11,531 --> 00:17:16,234
The earthquakes,
and all of the geology
278
00:17:16,236 --> 00:17:19,370
That we see here
on planet earth.
279
00:17:22,509 --> 00:17:25,643
Narrator: But icy pluto
was supposed to be different.
280
00:17:30,016 --> 00:17:33,117
Hand: Prior to the arrival
of new horizons,
281
00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:34,786
The conventional wisdom
282
00:17:34,788 --> 00:17:40,425
Was that it's probably too small
and too low in density
283
00:17:40,427 --> 00:17:43,561
To have enough rock
in its interior
284
00:17:43,563 --> 00:17:47,632
To drive enough radiogenic
decay, enough heating.
285
00:17:49,869 --> 00:17:54,405
But once new horizons started
returning images and data
286
00:17:54,407 --> 00:17:57,075
About pluto, that all changed.
287
00:17:59,179 --> 00:18:02,280
Narrator: Could pluto be heated
from within after all?
288
00:18:05,618 --> 00:18:08,019
Images sent back by new horizons
289
00:18:08,021 --> 00:18:10,721
Support
this groundbreaking theory.
290
00:18:10,723 --> 00:18:16,360
♪♪
291
00:18:16,362 --> 00:18:19,831
We're looking at
a large mountain,
292
00:18:19,833 --> 00:18:21,999
Which is about
five kilometers high,
293
00:18:22,001 --> 00:18:24,735
It's about
150 kilometers across,
294
00:18:24,737 --> 00:18:28,706
And in the center is a large
pit, and the pit goes down
295
00:18:28,708 --> 00:18:31,776
To about the same depth
as the mountain is high.
296
00:18:31,778 --> 00:18:33,811
And when we first saw this,
we were really surprised
297
00:18:33,813 --> 00:18:37,115
And puzzled
as to what it might be.
298
00:18:37,117 --> 00:18:41,152
Nothing like this had ever
been seen on another world.
299
00:18:41,154 --> 00:18:45,890
And to jeff, there was only one
extraordinary explanation --
300
00:18:45,892 --> 00:18:48,759
A volcano.
301
00:18:48,761 --> 00:18:51,696
It's a real challenge
to imagine how water ice
302
00:18:51,698 --> 00:18:53,197
Could erupt
under the surface
303
00:18:53,199 --> 00:18:57,702
The same way lava erupts up
to the surface on the earth.
304
00:18:57,704 --> 00:19:01,339
The question became
can ice flow like lava
305
00:19:01,341 --> 00:19:05,209
On a world
that's 380 degrees below zero?
306
00:19:05,211 --> 00:19:11,582
♪♪
307
00:19:15,522 --> 00:19:17,688
Hidden in new horizons' images,
308
00:19:17,690 --> 00:19:20,725
Space volcanologist
kelsi singer spotted
309
00:19:20,727 --> 00:19:22,493
Something that could explain
310
00:19:22,495 --> 00:19:26,497
How ice flows like lava
on pluto's freezing surface.
311
00:19:31,070 --> 00:19:33,271
This fracture is
called virgil fossae.
312
00:19:33,273 --> 00:19:35,506
It's a couple hundred
kilometers long
313
00:19:35,508 --> 00:19:38,209
And at least
five kilometers high,
314
00:19:38,211 --> 00:19:40,912
And it's got a unique
red coloring.
315
00:19:40,914 --> 00:19:43,447
And that red coloring
turned out to be associated
316
00:19:43,449 --> 00:19:45,216
With ammonia.
317
00:19:45,218 --> 00:19:48,319
Narrator: Confirmed
by new horizons' spectrograph,
318
00:19:48,321 --> 00:19:51,556
The presence of this
nitrogen-hydrogen compound
319
00:19:51,558 --> 00:19:55,326
Changed our understanding
of the dwarf planet.
320
00:19:55,328 --> 00:19:58,663
The detection of ammonia
on pluto was very important
321
00:19:58,665 --> 00:20:03,668
Because it lowers the melting
temperature of water.
322
00:20:03,670 --> 00:20:06,904
Narrator:
In fact, ammonia can lower
the freezing point of water
323
00:20:06,906 --> 00:20:10,608
By up to 180 degrees fahrenheit,
324
00:20:10,610 --> 00:20:13,945
Temporarily allowing it
to behave like molten lava
325
00:20:13,947 --> 00:20:16,147
And pluto's frozen surface.
326
00:20:18,918 --> 00:20:20,918
Kelsi believes that this thick,
327
00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:24,789
Freezing liquid
erupted through pluto's crust,
328
00:20:24,791 --> 00:20:27,525
Flowed across the surface
like lava,
329
00:20:27,527 --> 00:20:30,661
And then froze solid
to form the ice volcano
330
00:20:30,663 --> 00:20:32,730
That new horizons revealed.
331
00:20:36,302 --> 00:20:40,171
But volcanic eruptions
still need heat.
332
00:20:40,173 --> 00:20:43,975
And heat on pluto
would mean something incredible.
333
00:20:46,045 --> 00:20:49,847
The fact that we see something
that could be an icy volcano
334
00:20:49,849 --> 00:20:52,450
That had to form
from a flow of material
335
00:20:52,452 --> 00:20:55,886
Means that the interior of pluto
must be somewhat warm,
336
00:20:55,888 --> 00:20:57,888
And that means
that we could have
337
00:20:57,890 --> 00:21:01,392
A subsurface liquid water ocean
on pluto.
338
00:21:03,129 --> 00:21:06,230
Narrator: Liquid water
has not been proven to exist
339
00:21:06,232 --> 00:21:08,232
Anywhere beyond earth.
340
00:21:11,971 --> 00:21:16,073
But for a subterranean ocean
to exist in liquid form,
341
00:21:16,075 --> 00:21:19,543
Pluto must have
an internal heat source.
342
00:21:21,881 --> 00:21:26,884
The problem with pluto in terms
of its heat from the interior
343
00:21:26,886 --> 00:21:31,889
Is that it probably doesn't have
enough of the raw materials.
344
00:21:31,891 --> 00:21:35,459
There's not enough
radiogenic decay to keep it warm
345
00:21:35,461 --> 00:21:39,330
From within
for a very long period of time.
346
00:21:39,332 --> 00:21:40,865
And yet the evidence is that
347
00:21:40,867 --> 00:21:43,401
Something is driving
this geological processing.
348
00:21:43,403 --> 00:21:47,638
So there must be
another piece of the puzzle.
349
00:21:49,342 --> 00:21:55,880
♪♪
350
00:21:55,882 --> 00:21:57,615
Narrator:
The new horizons mission
351
00:21:57,617 --> 00:22:00,518
Provided scientists
with the first-ever
352
00:22:00,520 --> 00:22:04,055
High resolution photos
of pluto's surface,
353
00:22:04,057 --> 00:22:06,457
And they suggested
something amazing --
354
00:22:06,459 --> 00:22:12,396
The presence of a liquid-water
ocean beneath pluto's crust.
355
00:22:12,398 --> 00:22:15,099
Researchers were faced
with a new question.
356
00:22:15,101 --> 00:22:16,867
How could this distant planet
357
00:22:16,869 --> 00:22:22,239
Produce enough warmth to sustain
a liquid ocean?
358
00:22:22,241 --> 00:22:27,211
The problem with pluto in terms
of its heat from the interior
359
00:22:27,213 --> 00:22:30,848
Is that it probably doesn't have
enough of the raw materials.
360
00:22:33,853 --> 00:22:37,822
Narrator:
A small amount of radioactive
rock in pluto's core
361
00:22:37,824 --> 00:22:40,324
May provide some heat,
362
00:22:40,326 --> 00:22:44,061
But something else must be
helping the planet retain it.
363
00:22:44,063 --> 00:22:49,166
♪♪
364
00:22:49,168 --> 00:22:51,502
This mysterious source
of insulation
365
00:22:51,504 --> 00:22:55,840
Could be a special type of snow
called a gas hydrate.
366
00:22:58,044 --> 00:23:01,078
Scientists at the national
oceanography center
367
00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:04,115
In southampton
make it in their lab.
368
00:23:07,387 --> 00:23:11,088
It looks like ordinary snow.
369
00:23:11,090 --> 00:23:14,692
It's freezing cold
like ordinary snow.
370
00:23:14,694 --> 00:23:17,061
But take a match to it and...
371
00:23:17,063 --> 00:23:24,301
♪♪
372
00:23:24,303 --> 00:23:29,507
Best:
This in my hand looks like ice,
but it is actually burning.
373
00:23:29,509 --> 00:23:32,042
And that flame
is actually methane gas
374
00:23:32,044 --> 00:23:35,279
That's been coming off the ice
as it melts.
375
00:23:37,884 --> 00:23:40,684
Narrator: It burns because
flammable gas like methane
376
00:23:40,686 --> 00:23:43,821
Gets trapped within
the crystal structure of ice.
377
00:23:46,859 --> 00:23:49,326
Dr. Carly howett
designed the cameras
378
00:23:49,328 --> 00:23:52,830
On the new horizons probe.
379
00:23:52,832 --> 00:23:56,667
She believes the hydrate's
ability to trap gas
380
00:23:56,669 --> 00:23:59,737
Could be the answer
to pluto's heat mystery.
381
00:23:59,739 --> 00:24:03,707
♪♪
382
00:24:06,245 --> 00:24:09,814
Howett:
The water ice forms a hexagon
almost like a cage.
383
00:24:09,816 --> 00:24:11,449
And then inside is gas.
384
00:24:11,451 --> 00:24:15,419
In this case,
we think it's probably methane.
385
00:24:15,421 --> 00:24:16,487
These are incredibly small.
386
00:24:16,489 --> 00:24:18,622
You'd end up with
millions upon millions
387
00:24:18,624 --> 00:24:21,325
Of very, very small cages,
388
00:24:21,327 --> 00:24:25,896
Each holding its own
little methane gas bubble.
389
00:24:25,898 --> 00:24:28,799
Narrator: The gas bubbles
on pluto don't ignite
390
00:24:28,801 --> 00:24:32,403
But act like a thermal
insulator trapping heat.
391
00:24:35,508 --> 00:24:37,741
Howett: So the heat comes
from the rocky core,
392
00:24:37,743 --> 00:24:39,977
And it can't escape through
this insulating layer.
393
00:24:39,979 --> 00:24:43,080
And maybe it's warm enough that
you end up being able to sustain
394
00:24:43,082 --> 00:24:45,883
Liquid water form
and sustain liquid water
395
00:24:45,885 --> 00:24:48,385
And maybe even in the form
of a sort of global ocean,
396
00:24:48,387 --> 00:24:51,021
Which is incredible.
397
00:24:51,023 --> 00:24:52,690
Narrator:
The scientists found a way
398
00:24:52,692 --> 00:24:55,526
That liquid water
could exist on pluto.
399
00:24:57,864 --> 00:24:59,897
Everything they thought
about this icy world
400
00:24:59,899 --> 00:25:03,133
Was turned on its head,
401
00:25:03,135 --> 00:25:06,904
Which has led some scientists
to think the impossible.
402
00:25:09,742 --> 00:25:12,543
Hand: If we've learned anything
from our study of life on earth,
403
00:25:12,545 --> 00:25:14,612
It's that where you find
liquid water,
404
00:25:14,614 --> 00:25:16,280
You generally find life.
405
00:25:20,887 --> 00:25:24,755
Narrator: But there was still
something missing.
406
00:25:24,757 --> 00:25:26,824
As well as heat
and liquid water,
407
00:25:26,826 --> 00:25:31,629
Life requires a complex array
of chemical ingredients.
408
00:25:31,631 --> 00:25:33,597
Could they exist on pluto?
409
00:25:35,001 --> 00:25:40,304
♪♪
410
00:25:40,306 --> 00:25:44,408
The first clue about
pluto's chemistry came in 1988,
411
00:25:44,410 --> 00:25:47,978
Long before new horizons,
412
00:25:47,980 --> 00:25:52,917
When images like this
were all that scientists had.
413
00:25:52,919 --> 00:25:54,785
So here's a picture
you can take
414
00:25:54,787 --> 00:25:58,589
From the ground-based telescope
like this,
415
00:25:58,591 --> 00:26:02,059
And there are a lot of beautiful
background stars here,
416
00:26:02,061 --> 00:26:05,095
But there's one particular
important one
417
00:26:05,097 --> 00:26:06,397
We are talking about today.
418
00:26:06,399 --> 00:26:10,234
It's pluto here
in the middle of this picture
419
00:26:10,236 --> 00:26:15,639
It's not much, right?
It's only a few pixels.
420
00:26:15,641 --> 00:26:19,009
Narrator:
Yet what scientists learn
from this rudimentary image
421
00:26:19,011 --> 00:26:21,912
Would ultimately inform
one of new horizons'
422
00:26:21,914 --> 00:26:24,748
Most important mission
objectives.
423
00:26:33,793 --> 00:26:35,292
Narrator: From earth,
424
00:26:35,294 --> 00:26:41,231
Pluto was nothing but a tiny
white dot in the late '80s.
425
00:26:41,233 --> 00:26:44,068
So astronomers waited
for a rare event
426
00:26:44,070 --> 00:26:49,807
Called an occultation to learn
more about the distant planet.
427
00:26:49,809 --> 00:26:52,610
So look at those
background stars here.
428
00:26:52,612 --> 00:26:57,214
They are relatively stationary,
but pluto is moving in the sky.
429
00:26:59,752 --> 00:27:03,454
Narrator: As pluto passed
in front of a background star,
430
00:27:03,456 --> 00:27:06,123
Rather than blocking
the starlight abruptly,
431
00:27:06,125 --> 00:27:08,726
The starlight was slowly dimmed.
432
00:27:11,697 --> 00:27:14,098
This could only mean one thing.
433
00:27:17,336 --> 00:27:19,837
That pluto had
an atmosphere
434
00:27:21,641 --> 00:27:23,307
Here. Dry ice.
435
00:27:25,845 --> 00:27:30,014
Okay, look at this atmosphere
we just made in the laboratory,
436
00:27:30,016 --> 00:27:33,083
And if there is
a light source behind there,
437
00:27:33,085 --> 00:27:34,952
The light source
will get dimmed
438
00:27:34,954 --> 00:27:39,123
Because of the absorption and
scattering of the atmosphere.
439
00:27:39,125 --> 00:27:45,262
And that's similar to what
happens in pluto's occultation.
440
00:27:45,264 --> 00:27:48,032
Narrator: Here, dry-ice vapor
scatters the light
441
00:27:48,034 --> 00:27:51,201
In the same way that
pluto scattered the starlight.
442
00:27:53,539 --> 00:27:56,607
It was proof that pluto
had an atmosphere.
443
00:27:58,844 --> 00:28:00,678
But the question remained,
444
00:28:00,680 --> 00:28:04,748
What was pluto's atmosphere
made of?
445
00:28:04,750 --> 00:28:09,053
The new horizons probe
was sent to find out.
446
00:28:09,055 --> 00:28:11,655
And when it returned
this picture,
447
00:28:11,657 --> 00:28:15,259
The scientists were able to see
the atmosphere in detail
448
00:28:15,261 --> 00:28:18,962
For the very first time.
449
00:28:18,964 --> 00:28:21,465
This is such
a beautiful image.
450
00:28:21,467 --> 00:28:24,702
This image says
we were really there
451
00:28:24,704 --> 00:28:26,403
Because this is
the kind of image
452
00:28:26,405 --> 00:28:30,174
You can only get after
you pass by pluto.
453
00:28:30,176 --> 00:28:31,742
This picture was taken
454
00:28:31,744 --> 00:28:34,178
Looking back
toward the sun and earth
455
00:28:34,180 --> 00:28:38,615
And we're seeing pluto backlit
by the sun.
456
00:28:41,253 --> 00:28:44,988
The onboard spectrograph
revealed that pluto's atmosphere
457
00:28:44,990 --> 00:28:48,992
Was made mostly of nitrogen gas,
just like earth's.
458
00:28:51,831 --> 00:28:55,065
As new horizons moved
further away from pluto,
459
00:28:55,067 --> 00:28:57,034
The long-range camera
took one of
460
00:28:57,036 --> 00:29:00,704
The most important photographs
of the entire mission.
461
00:29:02,775 --> 00:29:04,141
Like everybody,
I was surprised
462
00:29:04,143 --> 00:29:06,643
At this beautiful
structured atmosphere.
463
00:29:06,645 --> 00:29:09,546
All these layers
were wholly unexpected.
464
00:29:09,548 --> 00:29:13,417
There is so much going on
in this picture.
465
00:29:13,419 --> 00:29:16,820
We can actually see
these layers
466
00:29:16,822 --> 00:29:19,189
In the haze
in pluto's atmosphere.
467
00:29:19,191 --> 00:29:22,626
There about 20 kilometers
or so between each one,
468
00:29:22,628 --> 00:29:26,130
And we see the haze going up
for 200 kilometers
469
00:29:26,132 --> 00:29:29,032
Or more in this image.
470
00:29:29,034 --> 00:29:34,738
The layers in pluto's atmosphere
were a complete mystery.
471
00:29:34,740 --> 00:29:39,209
Invisible nitrogen gas alone
couldn't explain the layers.
472
00:29:42,014 --> 00:29:44,915
Planetary scientist
xi zhang thinks
473
00:29:44,917 --> 00:29:48,619
It could be caused
by sunlight.
474
00:29:48,621 --> 00:29:52,723
Zhang: You can see
the air quality is not good.
475
00:29:52,725 --> 00:29:56,894
The air pollution is mostly
volatile organic compounds
476
00:29:56,896 --> 00:30:00,531
Like hydrocarbons,
soot particles.
477
00:30:00,533 --> 00:30:04,935
Narrator: Large soot particles
hang in the air above the city.
478
00:30:04,937 --> 00:30:08,639
They are created
by a chemical reaction.
479
00:30:08,641 --> 00:30:11,642
Exhaust fumes from cars
are baked by the sun,
480
00:30:11,644 --> 00:30:15,579
Causing them to break down and
reform into larger particles.
481
00:30:17,650 --> 00:30:19,550
Those marks are actually
pretty similar
482
00:30:19,552 --> 00:30:25,789
To what we see on pluto
in terms of chemical processes.
483
00:30:25,791 --> 00:30:29,159
Narrator:
But there are no cars on pluto,
484
00:30:29,161 --> 00:30:32,996
So why is its atmosphere
choking with smog?
485
00:30:32,998 --> 00:30:36,200
When new horizons analyze
pluto's atmosphere,
486
00:30:36,202 --> 00:30:40,838
It discovered that it wasn't
just made from nitrogen.
487
00:30:40,840 --> 00:30:43,607
There were also tiny amounts
of other gases
488
00:30:43,609 --> 00:30:47,477
Like methane
and carbon monoxide.
489
00:30:47,479 --> 00:30:52,382
When those air molecules hit
by the u.V. Light from the sun,
490
00:30:52,384 --> 00:30:54,117
The chemical bonds are broken
491
00:30:54,119 --> 00:30:57,754
And those coagulate
and make big particles.
492
00:30:57,756 --> 00:31:00,591
It's similar to
the soot particles we have here.
493
00:31:03,696 --> 00:31:06,363
Gas molecules
in pluto's atmosphere
494
00:31:06,365 --> 00:31:09,166
Are broken apart by the sun
495
00:31:09,168 --> 00:31:11,902
Before reforming into large
soot particles
496
00:31:11,904 --> 00:31:14,071
And settling out into layers.
497
00:31:17,109 --> 00:31:18,976
Zhang: Those haze particles
are produced
498
00:31:18,978 --> 00:31:21,044
In the upper atmosphere of pluto
499
00:31:21,046 --> 00:31:23,981
And gradually settle down
due to gravity.
500
00:31:27,753 --> 00:31:30,621
Narrator:
The soot particles suggest
that something special
501
00:31:30,623 --> 00:31:33,924
Is happening
in pluto's atmosphere,
502
00:31:33,926 --> 00:31:38,562
But exactly what chemicals
are formed in the process?
503
00:31:38,564 --> 00:31:41,398
Salama: Ready?
High voltage down.
504
00:31:41,400 --> 00:31:43,267
The probe told scientists
505
00:31:43,269 --> 00:31:46,303
What gases exist
in pluto's atmosphere...
506
00:31:46,305 --> 00:31:48,005
The mses are off.
507
00:31:48,007 --> 00:31:50,107
...Which allowed them
to do something
508
00:31:50,109 --> 00:31:52,075
That had never been done
before...
509
00:31:52,077 --> 00:31:53,343
Cylinders are closed.
510
00:31:53,345 --> 00:31:57,948
...Recreate pluto's atmosphere
here on earth.
511
00:32:01,553 --> 00:32:06,356
♪♪
512
00:32:06,358 --> 00:32:10,127
Narrator:
For the first time, new horizons
was able to identify
513
00:32:10,129 --> 00:32:14,564
The gases present
in pluto's atmosphere.
514
00:32:14,566 --> 00:32:17,734
Now scientists are using
that information
515
00:32:17,736 --> 00:32:22,072
To recreate those atmosphere
conditions in the lab.
516
00:32:22,074 --> 00:32:24,107
What this machine
allows to do
517
00:32:24,109 --> 00:32:26,543
Is to simulate
space environment.
518
00:32:26,545 --> 00:32:28,045
In the case of pluto,
519
00:32:28,047 --> 00:32:30,914
We can simulate
the atmosphere of pluto.
520
00:32:30,916 --> 00:32:31,949
Okay.
521
00:32:31,951 --> 00:32:32,983
Sciamma-o'brien:
Doing this experiment
522
00:32:32,985 --> 00:32:35,852
Will allow us to get
a better idea
523
00:32:35,854 --> 00:32:37,654
Of the type
of chemical processes
524
00:32:37,656 --> 00:32:40,090
That are occurring
in the atmosphere.
525
00:32:40,092 --> 00:32:42,025
Pressure.
526
00:32:42,027 --> 00:32:43,427
That's
the base pressure?
527
00:32:43,429 --> 00:32:46,263
[ speaks indistinctly ]
528
00:32:46,265 --> 00:32:49,266
Narrator:
Pluto's atmospheric gases
enter this machine
529
00:32:49,268 --> 00:32:52,803
At -270 degrees fahrenheit,
530
00:32:52,805 --> 00:32:57,774
Where an electrical discharge
simulates the sun's rays.
531
00:32:57,776 --> 00:32:59,876
And after 10 hours
in the machine,
532
00:32:59,878 --> 00:33:04,648
The gases are transformed
into an entirely new substance,
533
00:33:04,650 --> 00:33:07,417
Tiny grains of dust.
534
00:33:07,419 --> 00:33:11,188
These are these grains
that we make in the gas
535
00:33:11,190 --> 00:33:13,957
And that get deposited
onto a window
536
00:33:13,959 --> 00:33:15,392
And piled on top of each other
537
00:33:15,394 --> 00:33:20,197
Until we have a thin layer
of these dust grains.
538
00:33:20,199 --> 00:33:24,368
And, as you can see,
the color is a dark brown.
539
00:33:26,939 --> 00:33:28,238
Narrator:
These are the same particles
540
00:33:28,240 --> 00:33:31,241
That caused the layers
in pluto's atmosphere.
541
00:33:33,746 --> 00:33:35,879
Eventually, they grow so big
542
00:33:35,881 --> 00:33:39,149
That they fall to the surface
like rain,
543
00:33:39,151 --> 00:33:43,253
Painting pluto in a broad
spectrum of browns and reds.
544
00:33:46,859 --> 00:33:48,558
So this is an enhanced
color image
545
00:33:48,560 --> 00:33:53,263
And we can see that this area
is really red and quite dark
546
00:33:53,265 --> 00:33:56,900
And much redder than the rest
of pluto's surface.
547
00:33:59,004 --> 00:34:01,405
Areas that receive
more sunlight
548
00:34:01,407 --> 00:34:03,807
Appear much redder
than elsewhere.
549
00:34:06,645 --> 00:34:10,580
So what can these surface colors
reveal about the dwarf planet?
550
00:34:10,582 --> 00:34:18,221
♪♪
551
00:34:18,223 --> 00:34:19,589
Dale cruikshank studies
552
00:34:19,591 --> 00:34:22,259
The surface
of small objects in space.
553
00:34:26,265 --> 00:34:29,599
And since new horizons,
he has turned his attention
554
00:34:29,601 --> 00:34:32,469
To the chemical reactions
occurring on pluto.
555
00:34:36,742 --> 00:34:38,742
Pluto has a very thin
atmosphere,
556
00:34:38,744 --> 00:34:41,945
And we know that the basic
components are nitrogen,
557
00:34:41,947 --> 00:34:44,281
Methane,
and carbon monoxide.
558
00:34:47,386 --> 00:34:50,554
Sunlight coming in in the
ultraviolet part of the spectrum
559
00:34:50,556 --> 00:34:53,824
Has enough energy
to break the energetic bonds
560
00:34:53,826 --> 00:34:57,527
That hold the atoms
in the molecules together.
561
00:34:57,529 --> 00:35:00,764
Narrator: These simple gases
reform randomly
562
00:35:00,766 --> 00:35:03,500
Into more complex molecules.
563
00:35:03,502 --> 00:35:05,102
Cruikshank: Like that.
564
00:35:05,104 --> 00:35:06,837
Narrator: And experiments
to recreate this
565
00:35:06,839 --> 00:35:10,307
Have produced
something extraordinary.
566
00:35:10,309 --> 00:35:14,311
Eventually, these materials form
what we call precursor molecules
567
00:35:14,313 --> 00:35:19,249
To molecules
that are of biological interest,
568
00:35:19,251 --> 00:35:22,786
Including what are called
nucleobases.
569
00:35:22,788 --> 00:35:24,821
There are many different
nucleobases,
570
00:35:24,823 --> 00:35:28,291
But five of them
are of biological interest
571
00:35:28,293 --> 00:35:32,896
Because these are the principal
components of dna and rna.
572
00:35:35,033 --> 00:35:40,203
Nucleobases are the main
ingredient of dna.
573
00:35:40,205 --> 00:35:44,207
All life on earth uses dna.
574
00:35:44,209 --> 00:35:49,679
From these complex molecules,
life is just a few steps away,
575
00:35:49,681 --> 00:35:52,616
And some scientists believe
it's possible
576
00:35:52,618 --> 00:35:56,620
That they're
being produced on pluto.
577
00:35:56,622 --> 00:35:59,723
Cruikshank:
The new horizons mission has
given us these fantastic images
578
00:35:59,725 --> 00:36:02,592
From which we now deduce
that the colors are,
579
00:36:02,594 --> 00:36:06,530
In fact, from organic material,
complex organics
580
00:36:06,532 --> 00:36:09,933
That have fallen
from the sky, literally.
581
00:36:09,935 --> 00:36:13,436
We are making precursors
to the things
582
00:36:13,438 --> 00:36:15,639
That eventually
we think on earth
583
00:36:15,641 --> 00:36:17,774
Resulted in the origin of life.
584
00:36:20,479 --> 00:36:22,479
Narrator: And the surface isn't
the only place
585
00:36:22,481 --> 00:36:26,216
Where prelife organic molecules
could be developing.
586
00:36:28,820 --> 00:36:32,589
Cruikshank: Complex organics
are also being produced in water
587
00:36:32,591 --> 00:36:36,126
And have emerged
onto the surface through cracks
588
00:36:36,128 --> 00:36:42,132
In the crust in a process
that we call cryovolcanism.
589
00:36:42,134 --> 00:36:45,235
Narrator:
The red color of the ice
around virgil fossae
590
00:36:45,237 --> 00:36:50,273
Is evidence not only of ammonia
but also organic material
591
00:36:50,275 --> 00:36:54,010
Erupting from
an underground sea.
592
00:36:54,012 --> 00:36:57,247
Scientists were stunned.
593
00:36:57,249 --> 00:37:00,217
Cruikshank: There may be
habitable zones on pluto.
594
00:37:00,219 --> 00:37:03,019
For example, in the interior,
if there's still a liquid
595
00:37:03,021 --> 00:37:05,488
And it's full of
organic materials,
596
00:37:05,490 --> 00:37:10,393
This may be a habitat
where life could exist.
597
00:37:10,395 --> 00:37:14,631
So if we were trying to survey
the entire solar system
598
00:37:14,633 --> 00:37:17,801
For a potential habitable zones,
habitable regions,
599
00:37:17,803 --> 00:37:20,270
You'd have to include pluto
in that list, I think.
600
00:37:22,474 --> 00:37:27,510
♪♪
601
00:37:27,512 --> 00:37:31,081
Narrator:
Evidence suggests that pluto
has the raw ingredients
602
00:37:31,083 --> 00:37:35,552
To produce the molecules
needed for life.
603
00:37:35,554 --> 00:37:37,053
And even though the complexities
604
00:37:37,055 --> 00:37:39,689
Of how organic molecules
spawn life
605
00:37:39,691 --> 00:37:42,626
Are not fully understood,
606
00:37:42,628 --> 00:37:46,563
This and other findings
made by new horizons changes
607
00:37:46,565 --> 00:37:51,101
What we thought we knew about
the dwarf planet.
608
00:37:51,103 --> 00:37:55,405
Hand:
Within pluto, you might have
liquid water mixed with ammonia,
609
00:37:55,407 --> 00:37:58,675
Mixed with methane and
any number of different kinds
610
00:37:58,677 --> 00:38:00,076
Of organic compounds,
611
00:38:00,078 --> 00:38:03,647
Carbon compounds
that life could utilize.
612
00:38:03,649 --> 00:38:06,316
And so, along with pluto
potentially having
613
00:38:06,318 --> 00:38:08,218
This liquid-water environment
614
00:38:08,220 --> 00:38:11,755
That could be conducive
for life,
615
00:38:11,757 --> 00:38:15,692
It might have some of
the elements and energy
616
00:38:15,694 --> 00:38:19,029
That life as we know it needs.
617
00:38:21,867 --> 00:38:23,300
Howett:
No one in their right mind
would've thought
618
00:38:23,302 --> 00:38:25,802
Pluto had life,
but now it's a possibility,
619
00:38:25,804 --> 00:38:29,606
And that in itself
is kind of mind blowing.
620
00:38:29,608 --> 00:38:32,242
Hand: What might life on pluto
look like?
621
00:38:32,244 --> 00:38:33,677
Who knows?
622
00:38:33,679 --> 00:38:38,148
But I would be happy
with even the tiniest
623
00:38:38,150 --> 00:38:42,419
Of single-celled microbial
organism somewhere out there
624
00:38:42,421 --> 00:38:44,354
In our solar system and beyond.
625
00:38:48,160 --> 00:38:52,362
Narrator: And if on pluto,
the most unlikely of places,
626
00:38:52,364 --> 00:38:55,332
Then why not elsewhere?
627
00:38:55,334 --> 00:38:56,666
Showalter: We used to think
that life could only exist
628
00:38:56,668 --> 00:38:57,801
On a planet like earth,
629
00:38:57,803 --> 00:39:00,503
With ocean on the outside
and atmosphere,
630
00:39:00,505 --> 00:39:04,274
Sunlight falling in, and so on.
631
00:39:04,276 --> 00:39:06,843
Now we learned
that there are liquid oceans
632
00:39:06,845 --> 00:39:08,178
Elsewhere in the solar system.
633
00:39:08,180 --> 00:39:10,780
They are around jupiter,
they are inside pluto,
634
00:39:10,782 --> 00:39:13,216
And it changes our concept
of what the goldilocks zone is,
635
00:39:13,218 --> 00:39:15,618
The zone in which life
could potentially form.
636
00:39:17,756 --> 00:39:20,390
Howett: If places like pluto,
you know, really small,
637
00:39:20,392 --> 00:39:24,160
Very distant from a star,
are able to have liquid water,
638
00:39:24,162 --> 00:39:26,463
It could mean that
pluto maybe has life.
639
00:39:26,465 --> 00:39:29,432
But also as we move
into other solar systems
640
00:39:29,434 --> 00:39:31,101
And we understand more about
other solar systems,
641
00:39:31,103 --> 00:39:33,870
Maybe life could be
more abundant than we thought.
642
00:39:34,840 --> 00:39:38,742
♪♪
643
00:39:38,744 --> 00:39:41,778
Narrator: Once viewed as a world
of little importance...
644
00:39:45,617 --> 00:39:46,983
...Pluto has been revealed
645
00:39:46,985 --> 00:39:49,853
To be a place
of unimaginable complexity.
646
00:39:53,825 --> 00:39:58,061
Mountains carved from ice rival
647
00:39:58,063 --> 00:40:00,563
The most dramatic
landscapes on earth.
648
00:40:04,736 --> 00:40:08,304
A frozen volcano like nothing
else in the solar system.
649
00:40:08,306 --> 00:40:13,676
♪♪
650
00:40:13,678 --> 00:40:15,645
A churning nitrogen glacier
651
00:40:15,647 --> 00:40:18,782
That puzzles scientists'
greatest minds.
652
00:40:22,788 --> 00:40:25,488
It's a place
where extraterrestrial life
653
00:40:25,490 --> 00:40:27,090
Might exist...
654
00:40:27,092 --> 00:40:32,228
♪♪
655
00:40:32,230 --> 00:40:34,798
...And could tell us
where else in the universe
656
00:40:34,800 --> 00:40:36,399
We might find it.
657
00:40:40,138 --> 00:40:44,441
This great mystery on the
very edge of our solar system
658
00:40:44,443 --> 00:40:48,845
Has led scientists to call for
another mission.
659
00:40:48,847 --> 00:40:51,915
Howett:
The only way to really study
the surface of pluto in detail
660
00:40:51,917 --> 00:40:53,349
Is to go back to pluto,
661
00:40:53,351 --> 00:40:56,019
And that's why I'm leading
a concept study
662
00:40:56,021 --> 00:40:58,621
To figure out how we would
go about doing that.
663
00:41:00,826 --> 00:41:04,160
Narrator: They plan to send
another probe.
664
00:41:04,162 --> 00:41:07,130
Singer: We need another mission
to go back to pluto
665
00:41:07,132 --> 00:41:09,132
And this time orbit pluto.
666
00:41:09,134 --> 00:41:10,733
And we can bring
different instruments
667
00:41:10,735 --> 00:41:12,869
That can get us
different answers.
668
00:41:14,639 --> 00:41:17,874
Narrator: And peer beneath
pluto's icy crust.
669
00:41:20,378 --> 00:41:24,080
Hand: If we committed ourselves
to exploring these ocean worlds,
670
00:41:24,082 --> 00:41:27,150
It could be that
within the next few decades,
671
00:41:27,152 --> 00:41:29,919
We might finally have an answer
672
00:41:29,921 --> 00:41:33,923
To that primordial
age-old question
673
00:41:33,925 --> 00:41:36,926
Of whether or not
we are alone in the universe.
674
00:41:39,231 --> 00:41:43,833
To the romans, pluto was
the god of the afterlife.
675
00:41:43,835 --> 00:41:46,236
But this tiny dwarf planet
may, in fact,
676
00:41:46,238 --> 00:41:48,571
Be a gatekeeper to life itself.
677
00:41:48,573 --> 00:41:55,778
♪♪
678
00:41:55,780 --> 00:41:59,582
Pluto is truly back
from the dead.