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NASA's Faraway Space Snowman Has Flat, Not Round, Behind

by Associated Press

   CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA --

   The faraway space snowman visited by NASA last month has a flat -- not
   round -- behind.

   New photos from the New Horizons spacecraft offer a new perspective on
   the small cosmic body 4 billion miles (6.4 billion kilometers) away.
   Scientists say the two-lobed object, nicknamed Ultima Thule, is
   actually flatter on the backside than originally thought. Pictures
   released late last week -- taken shortly after closest approach on New
   Year's Day -- provide an outline of the side not illuminated by the
   sun.

   When viewed from the front, Ultima Thule still resembles a two-ball
   snowman. But from the side, the snowman looks squashed, sort of like a
   lemon and pie stuck together, end to end.

   Ultima Thule is the most distant world ever explored.