On July 14, 2015, New Horizons spacecraft made a fly-by past Pluto. It sent back valuable data back to earth from the spacecraft. Researchers have shared main findings of the initial data being sent from the spacecraft.

Beautiful geological features were found on Pluto including both old and young surfaces, mountain ranges, ice plains and flowing glaciers. Researchers also suspect that Pluto's crust is formed of water ice.

In comparison to past estimations, Pluto has been found to be bigger, 2,274 km in diameter. Researchers said that considering its size and mass, it is said that its density is lower than what was thought. Therefore, it can be said that the planet's ice fraction is higher and rock fraction is lower.

Pluto's atmosphere has hazes and many new molecular species. Now, coming to Charon then researchers could not find an evidence for an atmosphere. But researchers affirmed that they will be able to give final verdict on the basis of data that is yet to be received by them.

Charon was found to be having tectonic ridges, chasms, and mountains. The New Horizons team is working to map both bodies. In fact, specific features on both the bodies are being given names. As per researchers, Pluto's small satellites -- Nix and Hydra are likely to be covered with ice.

The flyby is done, but 95% of data is yet to be sent back to earth. It is said that it will take around 16 months to get back those observations.