All You Need to Know About Makemake: Facts and Information
Makemake is one of the five officially recognized dwarf planets in our solar system. It was discovered on March 31, 2005, by a team led by astronomer Michael E. Brown at the California Institute of Technology. Since then, Makemake has been a subject of considerable interest to astronomers and space enthusiasts worldwide. In this article, we’ll explore all you need to know about Makemake, its facts, and other related information.
What is Makemake?
Makemake is a dwarf planet located beyond the orbit of Neptune in the Kuiper Belt, a region of the solar system that is home to many other icy and rocky objects. It is the second brightest dwarf planet after Ceres and is named after one of the gods of the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island. Makemake is approximately two-thirds the size of Pluto, measuring 1,400 miles in diameter, and takes about 305 Earth years to orbit around the sun.
Physical Characteristics of Makemake
Makemake is primarily composed of rock and ice with a surface temperature of around minus 243 degrees Celsius. The dwarf planet has no known atmosphere, which makes it challenging for scientists to study its physical characteristics. However, infrared observations of Makemake suggest that it is covered in a layer of frozen methane and ethane.
Exploration and Research on Makemake
As of yet, no spacecraft missions have been explicitly targeted towards Makemake. However, astronomers have obtained essential information about this dwarf planet through various telescopes, including the Hubble Space Telescope. This data allowed them to study Makemake’s composition, size, rotational period, surface features, and orbital characteristics.
Makemake’s Moons
Makemake has one known moon, discovered in April 2016 by a team of astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope. It is approximately 100 miles across and orbits Makemake once every 12 days.
Makemake’s Cultural Significance
Makemake is significant for the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island, where the name originates from. The Rapa Nui consider Makemake to be one of their gods, a creator deity who watches over the island. The Makemake festival, which honors the deity, takes place every year on Easter Island.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Makemake is a fascinating dwarf planet that continues to intrigue astronomers and space enthusiasts worldwide. Its unique features, including its frozen methane and ethane layer, make it a subject of great interest in research. While we have only scratched the surface of the information available on Makemake, it is clear that this dwarf planet has a unique place in our solar system’s history and cultural significance to the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island.
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