The New Horizons space probe will pass Pluto on the 14th of July, nearly a decade after its launch. Nature Video breaks down what will happen at this brief encounter – a fly-by that will be over in a matter of hours.

For the full fly-by graphic: Pluto fly-by: a graphical guide to the historic mission

For more Pluto coverage: Pluto and Ceres: Fresh views of dwarf planets