NASA just released this sweet GIF of Pluto that uses photos taken between 1930 through 2015. The first photo (courtesy of Lowell Observatory Archives) was taken by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930 when the planet was first discovered. NASA digitally zoomed in on the image for the GIF. The following images were all taken form NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope between 1990 and 2014. The only exception being the last image in the series, which was snapped from the New Horizons spacecraft this year.
Because Pluto sits anywhere from 2.66 billion miles (4.28 billion km) to 4.67 billion miles (7.5 billion kilometers) away from earth depending on it’s orbit, it has been one of the most difficult planets to photograph. As the animation cycles through the 13 images it’s comprised of, it’s impossible not to notice how much improved camera technology has become. Not that it’s unexpected, but seeing the evolution animated like this is pretty cool.
The final image has been making it’s way into the headlines lately due the historically high quality images New Horizon’s spacecraft was able to take of the mysterious planet. New Horizons is equipped with three cameras, one of which is named Ralph. Ralph has a focal length of Focal Length: 657.5 mm and shoots at f 8.7.
For an complete shot list of the GIF, head on over to NASA’s website, where the animation was originally shared.
[ via This Is Colossal ]
FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!