The heart shaped feature on Pluto's surface

 

A significant heart-shaped feature on Pluto's surface, known as Tombaugh Regio, has long intrigued astronomers. Now, new research suggests that this distinctive feature, which was captured by NASA's New Horizons spacecraft in 2015, may have formed as a result of a cataclysmic event involving a collision with another planetary body early in Pluto's history.

Scientists have been puzzled by the composition and elevation of Tombaugh Regio, as well as its highly reflective surface. The left lobe of the heart-shaped feature, called Sputnik Planitia, is particularly intriguing, as it contains a deep basin filled with nitrogen ice. Through numerical simulations and analysis, researchers have proposed that a planetary body approximately 435 miles (700 kilometers) in diameter collided with Pluto, creating this heart-shaped feature.

The impact likely occurred at a slanted angle, causing the colliding body to remain intact as a "splat" on Pluto's surface. Sputnik Planitia's teardrop shape is attributed to the frigidity of Pluto's core and the relatively low velocity of the impact. The collision may have also influenced the migration of mass within Pluto, potentially explaining the location of Sputnik Planitia near the equator.

While previous theories have suggested the presence of a subsurface ocean on Pluto, this new research offers an alternative explanation for the observed features. The findings could provide valuable insights into the origins and geological history of Pluto, shedding light on the processes that shaped this distant dwarf planet.

However, some scientists suggest that further exploration and analysis, including missions to orbit Pluto and study its subsurface, are necessary to fully understand its geology and formation. Overall, this research highlights the complex and dynamic nature of celestial bodies in our solar system and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to unraveling their mysteries.