Charon is the largest moon of Pluto and is named after the mythological figure Charon, the ferryman of the dead in Greek mythology, who transports souls across the river Styx. Discovered in 1978, Charon has a diameter of about 1,212 kilometers (about 752 miles), making it roughly half the size of Pluto itself. The moon is unique in that it has a synchronous rotation with Pluto, meaning that it always shows the same face to the planet as they orbit a common center of mass located outside of Pluto. This characteristic gives Charon and Pluto a binary nature, where both bodies exert significant gravitational influence on each other. Charon’s surface is believed to be covered in water ice and possibly other ices, showcasing diverse geological features, including canyons and mountains. The moon plays a crucial role in scientists’ understanding of the Pluto-Charon system and provides insights into the characteristics of outer solar system objects.
NASA recently shocked the internet with a captivating image showcasing the intriguing connection between Charon and Pluto, the double dwarf planets. This image, shared by the space agency, quickly went…