[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]The blue haze depicted in the photo above “likely involves sunlight-initiated chemical reactions of nitrogen and methane, leading to relatively small, soot-like particles (called Tholins) that grow as they settle towards the surface.”
I wonder if “tholins” have anything to do with the Tholians encountered by Kirk and the Enterprise crew.
Point being, forget about chemical reactions. We’re talking water ice! We’re talking blue skies! This isn’t the Pluto taught to us when we were in grade school!
New Horizons has “detected numerous small, exposed regions of water ice on Pluto.”
Here’s the link to the official article on Nasa.gov:
http://www.nasa.gov/nh/nh-finds-blue-skies-and-water-ice-on-pluto
So how is this significant for us?
Our quest to find a second earth-like planet capable of supporting life will require a journey outside the solar system. If, in the future, we discover a source of liquid water on Mars, or a way of extracting water out of the natural processes of the planet, and if we discover water on these other bodies in our solar system, such as on Saturn’s moon, Enceladus, and Pluto, then we potentially have fueling stations, for ourselves, and for our vehicles.
Utilizing resources from other planets reduces our need to bring everything from home. This can extend our reach far beyond what we are currently capable of.
The far reaches of space have provided very interesting natural occurrences which, if harnessed properly, could be utilized to efficiently propel us. We only need to know where to look, and how to utilize what has already been provided for us.
To me, the purpose of a manned mission to Mars should be to see how we can effectively use this planet as a galactic “pit stop” to take us even further out.
Pluto could one day very well become the last spot to refuel on a journey outside the solar system seeking Earth-2.
It all starts here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]