วารสารปี-40-ฉบับที่-4-resize

นิพนธ์ ทรายเพชร 221 วารสารราชบัณฑิตยสภา ปีที่ ๔๐ ฉบับที่ ๔ ต.ค.-ธ.ค. ๒๕๕๘ Abstract New Horizons Spacecraft Arrived at Pluto Nibondh Saibejra Fellow of the Academy of Science, The Royal Society, Thailand Special Expert, Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft left the Earth on January 19, 2006 at 19:00 UTC. The initial velocity in going up was 16.26 Kilometers per second (58,536 Kilometers per hour) which was exceeding the Earth’s escape velocity. The main aim was to study the dwarf planet Pluto and its five moons and also two objects in the Kuiper belt. There are 7 scientific instruments on the spacecraft to ensure the success of the project. The followings are the objectives 1. Mapping the surface composition of Pluto and Charon. 2. Showing geological and geographical feathers on Pluto and Charon. 3. Showing neutral atmosphere of Pluto and the rate of gases escaping from the surface of Pluto. 4. Searching for Charon’s atmosphere. 5. Mapping surface temperatures of Pluto and Charon. 6. Searching for Pluto’s rings and its new satellites. 7. Doing similar things for one or more Kuiper belt objects. The spacecraft’s flyby at a closest distance of 12,500 kilometers on July 14, 2015 at 11:49:59 UTC was as planned. As the spacecraft was at Pluto system, the images of Pluto and Charon were taken. Eclipse of the Sun by Pluto was observed at 12:51:25 UTC, Pluto eclipsed the Earth at 12:52:27, Charon eclipsed the Sun at 14:17:40 and Charon eclipsed the Earth at 14:20:00 UTC were also observed. Keywords : New Horizons, Pluto, NASA