---
title: "Pluto’s Tiny Moon Has a “Super Canyon” That’s Five Times Deeper Than The Grand Canyon"
description: "Argo Chasma, is estimated to be 430 miles long and 5.5 miles in depth--a staggering size when compared to Earth's very own Grand Canyon."
date: "2016-06-27"
modified: "2016-06-27"
authors:
  - name: "Neil C. Bhavsar"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/neilbhavsar"
url: "https://futurism.com/plutos-moon-has-a-super-grand-canyon"
categories:
  - "Astronomy"
  - "Moon"
  - "Space"
tags:
  - "cool"
  - "grand canyon"
  - "new horizon"
  - "Pluto"
---

# Pluto’s Tiny Moon Has a “Super Canyon” That’s Five Times Deeper Than The Grand Canyon

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nh-pluto-charon-v2-10-1-15.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: \<a href="http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/nh-pluto-charon-v2-10-1-15.jpg" target="\_blank"\>NASA\</a\>\</em\>*

One of the more majestic places to visit here on our humble planet is the Grand Canyon. At 450 km (280 miles) across and a 1.6 km (1 mile) in depth, it stands as one of the United States' most visited tourist attractions.

But now, thanks to [scientists at NASA](<http://www.astrobio.net/also-in-news/super-grand-canyon-plutos-moon-charon/>), it just may have some competition. Enter Pluto's moon, Charon, with it's "Super Grand Canyon*.*" The canyon is estimated to be 692 km (430 miles) long and 8.9 km (5.5 miles) deep, making the Grand Canyon seem a little less grand than it is. The canyon is informally referred to as "Argo Chasma."

![Charon --NASA](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/HT_pluto_moon_grand_canyon_as_160624_16x9_992-300x169.jpg>)
*Charon, Image by NASA*

Of course, the Grand Canyon is much more accessible to us Earthlings. Argo Chasma is 7.5 billion km (4.67 billion miles) away.

Until warp drives show up into our garages, I think we can stick with what what we've got.

This canyon is another example of scientists discovering more about our solar system's tiniest planet. From floating hills of nitrogen to [liquid oceans](<https://futurism.com/new-research-provides-evidence-that-pluto-has-liquid-oceans>), Pluto can now add a spectacular canyon to its unique list of attributes.

## Author
Science today, science tomorrow, science forever.

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