Charon

Charon is the only regular moon of Pluto. This moon is doubly tidally locked with its central body. Learn all about Charon here!

Formation

Charon is the largest moon of Pluto and is believed to have formed through a process known as "giant impact." This theory suggests that Charon was created billions of years ago when a massive object, possibly a Kuiper Belt object or a comet, collided with Pluto in a high-velocity impact. The energy from this collision would have led to the ejection of debris from both Pluto and the impacting object into space. Some of this material eventually coalesced to form Charon in orbit around Pluto. This process likely occurred early in the history of the Pluto-Charon system and contributed to the formation of the other smaller moons of Pluto as well.

Surface

One of the most prominent aspects of Charon's surface is the presence of a vast, dark reddish region informally named "Mordor Macula," which covers a significant portion of the moon's northern hemisphere. This region is thought to be composed of complex organic compounds, possibly created through chemical reactions driven by ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. In contrast, the southern hemisphere of Charon displays a much brighter, cratered terrain, indicating a surface that has been relatively undisturbed by recent geological processes. Notable features on Charon's surface include large chasms, such as the Serenity Chasma, and impact craters, with the largest known as Orcus Patera. The moon also exhibits a network of canyons and ridges, suggesting past tectonic activity.

Structure

Charon is thought to have a differentiated interior, with distinct layers. At its core, there may be a small rocky or metallic center, although the exact composition remains uncertain. Above this core, there is likely a layer of water ice. The outermost layer is the icy crust, which is the part of Charon's structure we observe directly from the moon's surface.

Satellites

New Horizons came within about 12,500 kilometers (7,800 miles) of Charon, capturing high-resolution images and valuable data about Charon's surface and composition. The spacecraft's observations revealed a diverse and geologically active world with a mix of terrains, including vast chasms, craters, and mountains.