New Horizons Flyby of Ultima Thule

On 31 December 2018 and 1 January 2019, NASA’s New Horizons mission will make the first close reconnaissance of a Kuiper Belt object (KBO), 2014 MU₆₉ — aka Ultima Thule. This challenging and scientifically exciting flyby will make the farthest exploration of worlds in history, a billion miles beyond Pluto.

Extensive flyby social media and TV coverage begins on 28 December. The mission website has links to Twitter (hashtags #UltimaThule and #UltimaFlyby), other social media channels, and live streams carrying the event. You can find more on Where to Watch on the web page.

If the government shutdown has ended, this coverage will include NASA social accounts and NASA TV; but even if not, numerous traditional and social media, as well as TV channels, will be covering the flyby and its ensuring early results.

Public engagement is a key factor in support for the NASA planetary program. The New Horizons mission team asks community members to help spread the word about this exciting exploration using social media channels, mailing lists, and other means over the next few days as we approach and then flyby Ultima.