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"Spectroscopic analysis has revealed... ...Pluto's atmosphere are nitrogen, co2, and methane in order of decreasing abundance"

This question never states that the astronomers conclude the above gases to be the only components. I can't see how the answer can be (C) without assuming that the above gases are the only components. If assumed then clearly (c) is the right answer. Confused by this question while PTing.

Any who understands the lsat question setter's logic here?

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The "only" part is missing in the question. The omission, possibly inadvertent, of it creates a gaping hole in the question imo. I'd be surprised if no one else found the question odd.

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There is a range of questions in lsat including many in logic games that rely on this very inclusion/exclusion of "only".
"Box X contains A, B, and C" does not mean it doesn't contain some D.
"M goes to work on A and B days" doesn't exclude some other day.

I am able to reverse track the logic which this question in the present form has but somewhat puzzled that test maker would use the above example sentences in lsat questions while simultaneously believing that "only" is not needed in the question stem.

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Max324 wrote: I addressed that point-- "N, C, and M are components..." is not the same as "The components of P are N, C, and M..." (read my above post for full context)

"Box X contains A, B, and C" -- D is allowed to be in the box.
"The contents of Box X are A, B, and C" -- if D is not A, B, or C, then D is not in the box.

"M goes to work on A and B days" -- M may go to work on C days.
"The days on which M goes to work are A and B days" -- if C days are not A or B days, then M may not go to work on C days.

thanks, this works