The latest two full-frame images of Pluto and Charon were collected separately by New Horizons during approach on July 13 and July 14, 2015. The relative reflecivity, size, separation and orientations of Pluto and Charon are approximated in this composite image, and they are shown in approximate true color. (NASA)

The New Horizons mission to Pluto isn’t rewriting the textbooks, says NASA spokesmanΒ Dwayne Brown.

β€œIt isΒ writingΒ the textbooks,” he said, as he closed a press briefing with mission scientists.

Pluto has been something of a blank slate β€” a tiny point of light in the sky β€” since its discovery in 1930.

New Horizons, traveling for more than nine years and 3 billion miles, gave it its first close-up on July 14.

Here are seven things we did not know about Pluto before we went there.


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