New Horizons reveals Pluto's 'heart' has a second mountain range

Images taken by New Horizons during its July 14th flyby continue to trickle in, and one received on Monday revealed there's a second mountain range in Pluto's 'Heart.'

It's situated in the southwest area of the former planet's Tombaugh Region, the name given to the heart-shaped expanse.

The range's peaks are on the diminutive side, with elevations ranging from one to one-and-a-half miles. These heights are similar to the Appalachian Mountains.

In contrast, the previously discovered Norgay Mountains, situated approximately 90 miles to the southeast, are more akin to the Rocky Mountains in height.

Jeff Moore, head of the New Horizons Geology, Geophysics and Imaging Team, said, "There is a pronounced difference in texture between the younger, frozen plains to the east and the dark, heavily-cratered terrain to the west."

Though the researchers are still working to understand the variations, it's believed they could be due to age differences of billions of years.