Nix

Nix — moon orbiting Pluto, explore its interactive 3D model in Cosmoscope.

Explore Nix in a live 3D Solar System. Follow its calculated motion and inspect real astronomical data, distances and orbital facts.

A small, bright, elongated moon that circles Pluto and Charon together rather than Pluto alone. Because the pair’s pull keeps shifting, Nix tumbles chaotically instead of keeping one face toward Pluto.

Radius

18 km

Orbit

49k km from Pluto

Period

24.85 days

Discovered

2005 — Hubble, with Hydra

Circles

Pluto and Charon together

Shape

About 48 × 34 × 31 km; drawn as a sphere

Spin

Tumbles chaotically

Explore Nix in 3D

Cosmoscope places Nix in the Solar System using astronomical ephemeris or orbital elements, updated for the simulation time. Explore its calculated motion, distance and orbital facts in the interactive 3D view. Accuracy depends on the orbital model and its valid time range.