The findings reveal a surprisingly active world filled with glaciers of nitrogen and methane ice.
Another image showing the dark disc of Pluto, with a hazy layer, was especially stunning for scientists.
Stunning nightside Pluto view! @NASANewHorizons looked back after #PlutoFlyby, reveals haze: http://t.co/MSR9PQDaND pic.twitter.com/AN9oTXkDr2
— NASA (@NASA) July 24, 2015
"This was the image that almost brought tears to the eyes of the atmospheric scientists on our team, who were having to start from scratch to understand what we thought we knew about the atmosphere," George Mason University's Michael Summers said.
VIDEO: Bay Area space buffs celebrate successful Pluto flyby
New Horizons made its closest pass of Pluto ten days ago, coming within 7,800 miles.
More exciting images are on the way. It will take scientists over a year to download all the images snapped by the New Horizons space craft.
Thanks @POTUS & 38K others who sent our team congrats on #PlutoFlyBy! More science to come! http://t.co/wSuHhDkGNW pic.twitter.com/BLMWeJNiKi
— NASA New Horizons (@NASANewHorizons) July 24, 2015
This false color #PlutoFlyby pic is just a preview of what we'll reveal @ 2pm ET briefing! http://t.co/rRAMhEX4Dq pic.twitter.com/liZrSZQCqe
— NASA (@NASA) July 24, 2015
NASA's New Horizons flies by Pluto
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