NASA's New Horizons probe has released a new image and video of Pluto using its infrared spectrometer, which utilizes a linearly-varying filer to create a stained glass window effect in its search for reflected chemicals, according to Engadget. The absorption of these materials by Pluto's methane ice creates dark bands, which create an almost Christmas-like mix of red and green when the data is inputted into visible color channels.
The image was created using NASA's Linear Etalon Imaging Spectral Array (LEISA) instruments on the New Horizons probe from approximately 67,000 miles away from the planet, according to the press release. Although the LEISA is only capable of capturing infrared light, the colors were "translated" using the aforementioned color channels to create the colorful effect.
Although the new images might seem like an attempt to coincide with the holiday season, the infrared scans are actually crucial for NASA to confirm the presence of water ice on Pluto and further research will utilize the data in order to understand the evolution of Pluto and its moon Charon.
The video that accompanies the photo is just as ethereal as the photo and was speeded up approximately 17 times faster than the original frame rate to create the unique effect, according to The Verge.
"This is what you would have actually seen if you were on board the New Horizons spacecraft on July 14, looking out at Pluto through a stained glass window with infrared eyes," said Alex Parker, a planetary scientist working with the New Horizons mission, in a blog post regarding the video.
Take a look at the psychedelic Christmas-themed Pluto in the video below:
