Seeking Pluto's Frigid Heart: New York Times Released a Virtual Reality 360 Degrees Film of Pluto

Pluto may be situated on the edge of the solar system, but thanks to NASA and the New Horizons, men on Earth can now see bits and pieces of the former planet. But aside from high definition photographs, there is a new way to experience Pluto. The New York Times just released the most immersive 360 degrees tour of Pluto using their new virtual reality platform.

'Seeking Pluto's Frigid Heart' is a virtual reality film created by the New York Times. The VR film gives the viewers the most visually compelling tour of the celestial body by using mobile phones. 

Set foot on Pluto's surface, 3 billion miles from the warmth of the sun, in our new VR film https://t.co/k8g8rDxrxl pic.twitter.com/i2KIQ4ZJDl

— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 20, 2016

These VR films are part of the Seattle Film Festival which will showcase futuristic filming modes such as 360 degrees videos and augmented reality. New York Times' entries include the VR film featuring Pluto and it can be viewed by downloading the NYT VR app.

The newspaper company worked closely with the Lunar Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association, and NASA scientists to analyze the data gathered by the New Horizons spacecraft in order to build a factual and detailed virtual world. From the flyby in July 2015, NASA was able to gather high definition images of Pluto which paved the way for the VR film to be made.

The 7-minute film is full of amazing graphics showing Pluto and its surface in 360 degrees videos. The viewer can feel how it is like to walk on Pluto as the VR film takes the viewers on the virtual walking tour on the surface.  

"This is a VR video - a brand new kind of video that gives you a sense of depth in every direction so you feel like you're actually there", the New York Times said in a statement.

Astronomy lovers and the tech-savvy are sure to get satisfaction from watching the virtual reality tour of Pluto. And with the New Horizons anticipated arrival in Pluto this July, the tour of the celestial body can definitely get better. But as of now, the virtual reality tour is the best immersive version anyone can get of Pluto and its surface.