The still image you see above was taken by New Horizons after it finished its flyby of Pluto. Thanks to some help from the sun, the backlit photo shows two layers of atmospheric haze positioned at about 31 and 52 miles above the surface. What's causing the haze? Well, current models suggest that when ultraviolet light from the sun breaks apart methane, it causes hydrocarbon gases like ethylene and acetylene to build up. When those hydrocarbon gases fall toward the surface and condense, they form the haze. The haze is also the cause for some of the dark spots on the surface of Pluto that have appeared in the captured imagery.

Pluto's atmospheric pressure is actually lower than previous calculations indicated. Thanks to New Horizons' REX radio instrument, scientists now have "ground truth" to begin analysis of whether or not the planet is in the midst of "long-anticipated global change." While the early numbers are indeed helpful, the REX gear will be used to gather more info in the weeks to come. NASA also mentioned that the initial bevy of visuals would begin to slow down until September when we should see another set of new images arrive.