Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2026
07:54
Assessing Hepatic Metabolic Changes During Progressive Colonization of Germ-free Mouse by 1H NMR Spectroscopy
Published on: December 15, 2011
The detection of eclipses in the pluto-charon system
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|June 7, 1985
Summary
Eclipses between Pluto and Charon, first detected in 1985, confirm Charon's existence. Observing these rare events will refine understanding of the Pluto-Charon system's physical parameters and composition.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
Background:
- The existence of Pluto's satellite, Charon, was confirmed by the detection of mutual eclipses in 1985.
- These eclipses occur at regular intervals for a limited period.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm the existence of Charon.
- To enable precise determination of physical parameters for the Pluto-Charon system through eclipse observations.
Main Methods:
- Observation of mutual eclipses between Pluto and Charon.
- Analysis of light curves during eclipse events.
Main Results:
- Confirmation of Charon's existence.
- Establishment of a period of frequent eclipses lasting 5-6 years.
- Identification of a subsequent 120-year period without eclipses.
Conclusions:
- Eclipse observations allow for improved measurements of Pluto and Charon diameters.
- Surface albedo distribution on Pluto can be mapped.
- Satellite orbit, planet mass, and density can be determined, constraining models of Pluto's bulk composition.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Dietary Connections
In biological systems, most metabolic pathways are interconnected. The cellular respiration processes that convert glucose to ATP—such as glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, and the citric acid cycle—tie into those that break down other organic compounds. As a result, various foods—from apples to cheese to guacamole—end up as ATP. In addition to carbohydrates, food also contains proteins and lipids—such as cholesterol and fats. All of these organic compounds are used as energy sources to produce...
00:48Optimal Foraging
How animals obtain and eat their food is called foraging behavior. Foraging can include searching for plants and hunting for prey and depends on the species and environment.
01:10Detection of Black Holes
Although black holes were theoretically postulated in the 1920s, they remained outside the domain of observational astronomy until the 1970s.
Their closest cousins are neutron stars, which are composed almost entirely of neutrons packed against each other, making them extremely dense. A neutron star has the same mass as the Sun but its diameter is only a few kilometers. Therefore, the escape velocity from their surface is close to the speed of light.
Not until the 1960s, when the first neutron...
Their closest cousins are neutron stars, which are composed almost entirely of neutrons packed against each other, making them extremely dense. A neutron star has the same mass as the Sun but its diameter is only a few kilometers. Therefore, the escape velocity from their surface is close to the speed of light.
Not until the 1960s, when the first neutron...
01:16Gastric Emptying
Gastric emptying occurs when the stomach gradually releases chyme into the duodenum. When the stomach is distended, it triggers the release of gastrin, a hormone that promotes gastric acid secretion to aid in digestion. Additionally, stomach distension contributes to peristaltic waves that propel gastric contents toward the pyloric region. The gastroenteric reflex, on the other hand, primarily stimulates peristalsis in the intestines, facilitating the movement of contents further along the...
01:24Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation
During the initial hours of fasting, the body uses up its glycogen stores as an energy source. Once these glycogen reserves are depleted, the body begins breaking down stored triglycerides and structural proteins. During this stage, glycerol becomes a key substrate for gluconeogenesis, while free fatty acids undergo beta-oxidation to provide energy for tissues, such as skeletal muscle. In the fasting state, the body spares protein breakdown as much as possible to conserve muscle and structural...
01:29Sources of Food Contamination
Contamination of food by microbial agents and natural toxins poses significant risks to public health. These hazards can be introduced at various points across the food supply chain, ranging from environmental sources to processing and storage stages. Understanding these contamination pathways is critical for developing strategies to ensure food safety.Seafood is particularly vulnerable to contamination through both environmental exposure and microbial colonization. Toxins from harmful algal...