Pluto is hazier than scientists expected and appears to be covered with flowing ice.

Nasa’s New Horizons spacecraft has got humanity’s first up-close look at Pluto, sending word of its triumph across three billion miles to scientists waiting breathlessly back home.

New Horizons, the fastest spacecraft ever flown, made history yesterday as it shot past Pluto at more than 48,280kph, taking pictures and collecting scientific data.

Nasa’s New Horizons spacecraft is closing fast on an unexpectedly spotted Pluto, the most distant planetary body ever explored.