Astronomers have long been fascinated by a massive heart-shaped feature on the surface of Pluto, known as Tombaugh Regio, captured by NASA's New Horizons spacecraft in 2015. Recent research has shed light on the mystery behind this distinctive heart shape, offering new insights into the origins of the dwarf planet.
While the heart appears as a single element, scientists have discovered that it is composed of different materials. The left lobe of the heart, known as Sputnik Planitia, is a deep basin rich in nitrogen ice, covering an area equivalent to about one-quarter of the United States. This basin is significantly lower in elevation compared to the rest of Pluto's surface, creating a unique topographical feature.
