NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft was the first to reach the last unexplored world in the solar system after the spacecraft began its journey nine and a half years ago. The head of NASA’s science mission directorate, John Grunsfeld, said that Pluto is an “extraordinarily interesting and complex world”.
Cheers weren’t only heard at NASA’s New Horizons control centre. People around the world joined the celebration as photos of the planet were circulated online. Google even honoured the New Horizons’ Pluto-flyby with its own animated Google Doodle. The internet also seems to think that Pluto the dog can be seen on Pluto the planet. Even the official Disney Twitter account took notice of the fine resemblance!
According to NASA, the spacecraft flew by 7,700 miles of Pluto and it is set to then go past the dwarf planet and begin exploring its far side.
