Haumea

Haumea symbol (bold)

Haumea symbol (fixed width)

Quaoar Haumea Makemake orbits 2018

Haumea rotation with ring

Haumea-moons-hubble

Haumea is a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper belt, a region of the Solar System beyond the orbit of Neptune. It is one of the largest known members of the Kuiper belt and was officially classified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2008. Haumea is notable for its elongated shape, rapid rotation, and the presence of two moons, Namaka and Hiʻiaka, which were discovered in 2005. Its unique physical characteristics are thought to be the result of a collision with another Kuiper belt object.

Discovery

Haumea was discovered on December 28, 2004, by a team led by Mike Brown at the Palomar Observatory in California, United States. However, there was controversy regarding its discovery, as a team from the Sierra Nevada Observatory in Spain also claimed to have discovered it just a few days later. The IAU ultimately credited Brown's team with the discovery.

Physical Characteristics

Haumea is one of the most unusual dwarf planets due to its elongated shape, which is believed to be the result of its rapid rotation—completing a turn on its axis approximately every 4 hours. This rapid rotation causes Haumea to be stretched into an ellipsoid shape. It has a density that suggests a large rocky core surrounded by a thin layer of ice.

Moons

Haumea has two known moons, Namaka and Hiʻiaka, which are believed to have formed from the same collision that gave Haumea its rapid rotation and elongated shape. Hiʻiaka is the larger and outermost of the two, discovered in January 2005, while Namaka, the smaller and inner moon, was discovered in June 2005.

Orbit and Rotation

Haumea orbits the Sun at a distance of approximately 43 astronomical units (AU), taking about 285 years to complete a single orbit. Its orbit is moderately inclined and slightly elliptical. The rapid rotation of Haumea is one of the fastest known for any large object in the Solar System.

Classification

In 2008, the IAU classified Haumea as a dwarf planet, recognizing its sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces and assume a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, except for its significant elongation caused by its rapid rotation.

Exploration

As of now, no spacecraft have visited Haumea. Observations and studies have been conducted from Earth-based telescopes and the Hubble Space Telescope. Future missions may provide more detailed information about its composition, moons, and potential atmosphere.

Cultural Significance

The name "Haumea" comes from Hawaiian mythology, where Haumea is the goddess of childbirth and fertility. The names of its moons, Namaka and Hiʻiaka, are also derived from Hawaiian mythology, being the names of Haumea's children.