It finally happened! After first launching into space nine-and-a-half years ago, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew by Pluto [1] on the morning of July 14.
The journey, which took almost a decade to complete and included three billion miles of traveling, marks the first time any country has "sent a spacecraft to every planet in the solar system." [2] After quickly snapping a photo that debuted on Instagram first, New Horizons traveled along Pluto's surface, at a distance of 7,750 miles above space. The spacecraft then collected data and sent more information to NASA later that night.
View this post on Instagram[3]
Throughout the week, people were fascinated by the first image of Pluto — especially a certain heart-shaped feature on the planet's surface. Over at NASA Headquarters, the New Horizons team celebrated its accomplishment.
Members of @NASANewHorizons [5] #PlutoFlyby [6] team react to the spacecraft's last image of Pluto http://t.co/pNGTMfmCyx [7] pic.twitter.com/IiTp9ChsrV [8]
— NASA HQ PHOTO (@nasahqphoto) July 14, 2015 [9]
The @NASANewHorizons [10] #PlutoFlyby [11] team view last image before the flyby of Pluto http://t.co/pNGTMfmCyx [12] pic.twitter.com/TiLk18HhDH [13]
— NASA HQ PHOTO (@nasahqphoto) July 14, 2015 [14]
Even Disney joined on the excitement with their own version of what they saw on Pluto!
Breaking: New Video of Pluto on #Pluto [15]! http://t.co/PSrNUhY6H7 [16] pic.twitter.com/X2ggH13wXD [17]
— Disneyland Resort (@Disneyland) July 14, 2015 [18]
This was definitely an incredible journey and one we're so lucky to have experienced in our lifetime.