If you’re as excited about the New Horizons flyby of Pluto as much as NewsChannel 3 has been, then you’re going to love a great tool we discovered that allows you to track the spacecraft during its mission.
NASA has a cool simulation program online called Eyes on the Solar System. The tool uses simulated data from the New Horizons flight team, allowing you to ride onboard the spacecraft, using “Eyes on Pluto” all from the comfort of your computer.
Check out the program here: Eyes on Pluto.
According to NASA, “the picture in picture view shows you where the spacecraft is looking and what its advanced instruments can see. You can use a ‘live’ mode to see what New Horizons is doing right now.”
In fact, the tool has a zoom in and out feature, giving you an up close look through our solar system. It shows the spacecraft’s distance from Pluto, its closest approach to the dwarf planet, and the spacecraft’s relative speed in space, which is more than 30,000 mph! The simulation also gives you a better view of the New Horizons spacecraft, allowing you to flip it at different angles as it continues on its quest, a journey that’s been nine years in the making.
So check it out! You will not be disappointed.
Stay with NewsChannel 3 for more updates on the New Horizons mission.