Today we got the first ever close-up images of Pluto, as New Horizons began its fly by. But tomorrow will be the real show, when the spacecraft passes within 7,750 miles of the little planet, and will be able to take gorgeous high resolution photos.
I know that technically I’m supposed to say “dwarf planet”, but old habits die hard. I grew up with Pluto, so for most of my life it has been not only a full-fledged planet, but the planet of mystery — the last outpost of our solar system, the final major local way point Captain Kirk would have passed before heading toward the universe beyond.
Coincidentally, I just finally got around to seeing Mad Men, season 7 episode 7, which takes place on July 20, 1969, the day of the Moon Landing. Needless to say, the episode conveyed the thrill that people everywhere shared as the events of that day unfolded. The Moon wasn’t a planet either, but it was still a very big deal.
I am glad to see so many people transfixed by the images streaming back from New Horizons. Among people I know there is a genuine sense of excitement and wonder. This is indeed something historic, our first close-up look at the mysterious planet Pluto since it was first discovered in 1930.
And I am so glad they didn’t call it Goofy.