科学家们提议通过温和的碰撞形成普卢托及其月亮沙龙, 挑战先前的理论。 Scientists propose Pluto and its moon Charon formed via a gentle collision, challenging previous theories.

一项新的研究建议,冥王星及其月亮沙龙通过一个“亲吻和捕捉”机制形成,在这种机制下,两个冰冷体相撞,暂时粘在一起,然后分离成一个稳定的轨道。 A new study proposes that Pluto and its moon Charon formed through a "kiss and capture" mechanism, where the two icy bodies collided, temporarily stuck together, and then separated into a stable orbit. 这一理论发表在《自然地球科学》上,它挑战了先前的模型,这些模型表明,大规模混合和变形来自巨大的撞击。 This theory, published in Nature Geoscience, challenges previous models suggesting large-scale mixing and deformation from a giant impact. 研究表明,碰撞可能形成地表以下海洋,在Kuiper带很常见。 The study suggests that the collision could have formed subsurface oceans and may be common in the Kuiper Belt.