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Ultima Thule is Surprisingly Flat

This discovery could have a big effect on how scientists think about planet formation.

Aired 02/12/2019

NOVA

Ultima Thule is Surprisingly Flat

Clip: Season 46 Episode 1 | 1m 38sVideo has Closed Captions

This discovery could have a big effect on how scientists think about planet formation.

In the first images released of Ultima Thule, the object looked like two spheres — kind of like a snowman. The latest photo shows a very different perspective.

Aired 02/12/2019

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National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

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Days Before Flyby, Ultima Thule Still Mysterious

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: S46 Ep1 | 1m 45s | NASA's New Horizons spacecraft is about to visit the most distant object ever explored. (1m 45s)

New Horizons Makes Historic Flyby on New Year's Day

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: S46 Ep1 | 2m 9s | The New Horizons spacecraft made history by conducting the farthest ever flyby. (2m 9s)

Pluto and Beyond Preview

Video has Closed Captions

Preview: S46 Ep1 | 26s | The New Horizons spacecraft zooms toward an object 4 billion miles from Earth. (26s)

Ultima Thule Comes Into Focus as New Images Reveal Secrets

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: S46 Ep1 | 1m 13s | NASA scientists received the most detailed images from its spacecraft, New Horizons. (1m 13s)

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National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

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