Pluto’s ‘kiss and capture’ of its largest moon Charon 4.5 billion years ago could change how we teach about moons and planetary systems in US schools

A new theory about Pluto’s largest moon, Charon, could alter how planetary systems are taught in U.S. schools. Scientists suggest that 4.5 billion years ago, Pluto and Charon experienced a “kiss and capture” event, where they collided gently before Charon was trapped in orbit around Pluto. This finding challenges previous moon formation theories and offers a fresh perspective on celestial dynamics. The discovery may lead to updates in school curriculums regarding the formation of moons and planetary systems.