Finally, researchers using telescopes on the ground and NASA's SOFIA airborne observatory confirmed that Pluto's atmosphere didn't freeze. For years, it was believed that the planet's atmosphere would freeze onto the surface and disappear before it could be closely examined. Using the Pluto Energetic Particle Spectrometer Science Investigation (PEPSSI) instrument, New Horizons is already gathering data on the environment around the planet. The tech is designed to relay data to scientists on the ground info about Pluto's escaping atmosphere by detecting ions. With those details, it can also be determined how quickly the atmosphere is escaping. The spacecraft is less than 9.5 million miles (15 million kilometers) from the Pluto system and its working just fine, so in less than two weeks, we should have some pictures look more like the artist rendering above.