NASA Releases Closest Image of Pluto Before the Historic Flyby of the New Horizons Mission

NASA has released the last image taken of the dwarf planet Pluto before the historic flyby of the New Horizons mission that occurred at 7:49:57am ET on July 14, 2015, more than nine years after launching on January 19, 2006 and travelling over three billion miles from Earth.

NASA also released a video featuring members of the New Horizons team recapping the mission in the final minutes before the probe reached its closest approach of 7,800 miles.

Pluto sent a love note back to Earth via @NASANewHorizons. This is the last image taken before today's #PlutoFlyby. pic.twitter.com/a2AE20LHcR

- NASA (@NASA) July 14, 2015

YES! After over 9 years & 3+ billion miles, @NASANewHorizons #PlutoFlyby was at 7:49am ET. http://t.co/Czrvonxugd pic.twitter.com/aSucgORofT

- NASA (@NASA) July 14, 2015

image via NASA