Scientists think there might be an underground ocean on Pluto

Scientists studying a heart-shaped patch on Pluto's face say they've found evidence of water beneath the dwarf planet's surface. In two papers published Wednesday in the scientific journal Nature, scientists revealed there may be a "cold, slushy" ocean about 62 miles deep, buried as far as 124 miles beneath Pluto's surface. The body of water could hold "as much water as all of Earth's seas," Reuters reported.

Evidence of Pluto's ocean was discovered as scientists puzzled over why the heart-shaped patch, identified as an "impact basin," was located so close to Pluto's equator and faced away from the planet's largest moon. Scientists deduced the planet likely flipped over after it was hit by a comet — but realized that flip could only have occurred if Pluto had a subsurface ocean that was affecting its weight distribution. When the comet hit, "'tens of kilometers of ice' was thrown from the basin," Wired reported, causing a planetary somersault.

While liquid water is a key indicator of whether a planet could support life, scientists say the amount of ice almost certainly in Pluto's ocean makes life unlikely — but not "impossible." And, as Reuters noted, Pluto does still has enough radioactive heat to keep water in its liquid form.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up