What is SDC?
The Student Dust Counter (SDC) was designed and built by University of Colorado students, and is aboard the New Horizons spacecraft on its way to Pluto. SDC maps dust in the solar system to see if solar system formation theory is accurate. Learn More about SDC and the formation of the Solar System here!

Where is New Horizons Now? Check out the bar on the bottom of the page showing Jupiter, Pluto, and the Kuiper Belt with New Horizons' exact location (green object)!

Use the visual SDC data interface for classrooms or just about anyone! Explore the data taken by the SDC space probe just like a scientist would and complete the accompanying lesson. Begin by reading the help page.

View the lesson that accompanies the 'data viewer.'
View the educator's guide for the lesson.


 
 
Latest News
April 16, 2007: The SDC data viewer us up and running! Look at the most recent (and least recent) data sent back to us by our very own space probe. The help file will help you use the data viewer.

April 26, 2006: A new multimedia presentation has been added to the "interviews" section under "multimedia".

January 19, 2006 at 1900 hours GMT: New Horizons is on its way to Pluto! The launch went off successfully after numerous delays, but now the mission is on its way! If you look near the bottom of the website, you will see a thin display showing the New Horizons spacecraft at the far left of a bar containing Jupiter, Pluto and the Kuiper Belt. Over the next 15 years, you can watch the progress of the New Horizons mission as it makes it's way! Click here to see some photos of the launch!

October 31, 2005: The New NH:SDC website goes live! If you are a visitor, please note that this website is continually being improved and changed so check back often for new material!