ScienceAugust 8, 2026

plutonium

ploo-TOH-nee-uhm

Definition

A radioactive chemical element used as a fuel source in the radioisotope thermoelectric generators that power deep-space probes.

Etymology

Named after the planet Pluto, which was discovered in 1930, shortly before the element was synthesized. It follows the tradition of naming elements after celestial bodies, similar to uranium and neptunium.

In the news

The article explains that the aging Voyager spacecraft rely on the decay of plutonium to generate electrical power for their instruments in interstellar space.

NASA Extends Voyager 2 Mission With Power Swap

Read the full article ↗

sekbernews.id

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