Makemake

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Makemake symbol (bold)

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Makemake symbol (Solar Fire)

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TheKuiperBelt Orbits 2003EL61 2005FY9

Quaoar Haumea Makemake orbits 2018

Makemake is a dwarf planet in the Kuiper belt, a region of the Solar System beyond the orbit of Neptune. It is the third-largest known object in the Kuiper belt after Pluto and Eris. Makemake was discovered on March 31, 2005, by a team led by Michael E. Brown, and its discovery was announced on July 29, 2005. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) designated it as a dwarf planet in July 2008. It is named after the creator deity Makemake in the mythology of the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island.

Discovery and Naming

Makemake was discovered using high-powered telescopes at the Palomar Observatory in California. The discovery team, led by Michael E. Brown, used images taken on March 31, 2005, to identify the new object. The discovery was part of a search for objects beyond Neptune, a region known as the Kuiper belt, which is thought to contain many small bodies left over from the formation of the Solar System.

Following its discovery, Makemake was given the provisional designation 2005 FY9. In July 2008, the IAU officially recognized it as a dwarf planet and gave it the name Makemake. The name honors the culture of the Rapa Nui people, reflecting the importance of preserving cultural heritage and acknowledging the contributions of indigenous peoples to our understanding of the natural world.

Physical Characteristics

Makemake is one of the largest known dwarf planets in the Solar System. It has a diameter of about 1,430 kilometers, making it slightly smaller than Pluto. Makemake has a bright surface, likely covered with a layer of frozen methane, which gives it a high albedo (reflectivity). Its surface temperature is estimated to be about -239°C (-398°F), which is typical for objects in the Kuiper belt.

Observations have indicated that Makemake has no significant atmosphere, unlike Pluto, which has a thin atmosphere composed mainly of nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide. The lack of atmosphere on Makemake could be due to its smaller size and lower gravity, which makes it difficult to retain volatile compounds.

Orbit and Rotation

Makemake orbits the Sun at a distance of about 45.7 astronomical units (AU), taking 305 years to complete one orbit. Its orbit is slightly inclined and eccentric, meaning it is not perfectly circular and is tilted relative to the plane of the Solar System.

The rotation period of Makemake is not well known, but preliminary observations suggest it has a day length similar to that of Earth, though further studies are needed to confirm this.

Exploration

As of now, there have been no direct exploration missions to Makemake. However, observations from telescopes and space telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope have provided valuable information about its size, orbit, and surface conditions. Future missions to the Kuiper belt could provide more detailed data on Makemake and other distant objects, helping scientists understand the outer reaches of our Solar System.

See Also

• Dwarf planet
• Kuiper belt
• Pluto
• Eris