Pluto's atmosphere

Pluto's atmosphere is a thin layer of gases that surrounds the dwarf planet, made primarily of nitrogen, with traces of methane and carbon monoxide. It exists because Pluto's surface heats up slightly from the Sun, causing some of these frozen gases to turn into gas and escape into space. When Pluto moves farther from the Sun, the atmosphere freezes back onto its surface, creating a dynamic balance. Despite its thinness, Pluto’s atmosphere can expand and contract significantly, forming clouds and frost patterns, and it plays an important role in shaping the dwarf planet’s surface over time.