The initial excitement about a possible subsurface ocean on Pluto was sparked by the discovery of black ripples on the opposite side of Sputnik Planitia, which were interpreted as evidence of a 93-mile-thick ocean beneath the dwarf planet’s crust. The impact that created Sputnik Planitia could have sent shock waves around Pluto, causing these ripples on the opposite side. This theory was supported by similar evidence on Mercury, where a 950-mile-long impact crater is located at the exact opposite side of the planet from a region of chaotic geography.
Pluto’s Subsurface Ocean
The discovery of these black ripples on the opposite side of Sputnik Planitia was a significant finding, as it suggested the presence of a subsurface ocean on Pluto. The impact that created Sputnik Planitia could have sent shock waves around the dwarf planet, causing these ripples to form on the opposite side. This theory was further supported by similar evidence found on Mercury, where a 950-mile-long impact crater is located at the exact opposite side of the planet from a region of chaotic geography.