MadSci Network: Astronomy |
Cameron,
Pluto's composition is unknown, but its density indicates that it's probably a mixture of 80% rock and 10% water ice. Its surface seems to be covered with ices of methane, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
Little is known about Pluto's atmosphere, which exists as a gas only when Pluto is near its perihelion (closest to the Sun). For the majority of Pluto's longyear, the atmospheric gases are frozen solid. Near perihelion, it's likely that some of the atmosphere escapes to space, perhaps even interacting with Pluto's moon, Charon.
More information about this subject can be found at:
http://sci.hirosaki-u.ac.jp/~hiro/tnp/nineplanets/pluto.html
Hope this helps, and have a great day!
Keith Little gklittle@sprintmail.com
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Astronomy.