Makemake of the Outer Solar System
Explanation:
Recently discovered Makemake is one of the largest objects known in the outer Solar
System.
Pronounced MAH-kay MAH-kay, this
Kuiper belt
object is only slightly smaller than Pluto, orbits the Sun only slightly further
out than
Pluto, and appears only slightly dimmer than Pluto.
Makemake, however, has an orbit much more tilted to the
ecliptic plane of the planets than Pluto.
Designated
2005 FY9
soon after its discovery by a team led by
Mike Brown
(
Caltech) in 2005,
the outer Solar System orb was recently renamed
Makemake
for the creator of humanity in the
Rapa Nui mythology
of
Easter Island.
Additionally, Makemake has been recently classified as a
dwarf planet under the
new subcategory plutoid,
making Makemake the third cataloged
plutoid after Pluto and
Eris.
Makemake is known to be a world
somewhat red in appearance,
with spectra indicating it is
likely covered
with frozen
methane.
Since no images of
Makemake's surface yet exist, an artist's illustration originally meant to depict
Sedna
has been boldly co-opted above to now illustrate Makemake.
A
hypothetical moon
is visualized above nearly in the direction of our distant Sun.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
