The Color of Pluto

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Solar System, Astronomy, Earth & Space Science, Computing, Nature of Science, History of Science

Ed Hessler

We see so many images of objects in the sky that you sometimes wonder about their real real color.

Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) leads with this question. "What color is Pluto, really?" And then explains the "effort to figure it out."

Now we know.

About Pluto's status if you'd like a refresher.

--From the Library of Congress a brief history of Pluto which the International Astronomical Union downgraded to that of "dwarf planet." 

--Astrophysicist Mike Brown of CalTech, a scientist at the heart of  crusade that led to the change in Pluto's astronomical status has written an engaging book about it. 

--A Q & A with Brown shortly before the publication of the book.