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Deep SpaceConference Paper

The Geology of Charon as Revealed by New Horizons

New Horizons20191 min read83 words
Moore, J. M., Spenser, J. R., Mckinnon, W. B., Beyer, R. A., Stern, S. A., Ennico, K., Olkin, C. B., Weaver, H. A., and Young, L. A.
Ames Research Center

Pluto's large moon Charon [radius 606 km; density = 1.70 g cm(exp. -3)] exhibits a striking variety of landscapes. Charon can be divided into two broad provinces separated by a roughly aligned assemblage of ridges and canyons, which span from east to west. North of this tectonic belt is rugged, cratered terrain (Oz Terra); south of it are smoother but geologically complex plains (Vulcan Planum). (All place names here are informal.) Relief exceeding 20 km is seen in limb profiles and stereo topography.


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