Makemake is one of the recognized dwarf planets in the Solar System, located in the Kuiper Belt. Discovered in 2005, Makemake is a fascinating dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt, characterized by its bright icy surface, cold temperatures, and a single known moon. Its discovery and study provide valuable insights into the composition and characteristics of distant Solar System objects, helping to expand our understanding of the outer reaches of our planetary system.

1. 1. Size and Composition

• • • Diameter: Makemake has an estimated diameter of about 1,434 km (890 miles). This makes it one of the larger known dwarf planets but smaller than Pluto and Eris.
    • Mass: Its mass is approximately 4.5 x 10^21 kg, which is about one-third that of Pluto.
    • Composition: Makemake’s surface is composed mainly of water ice and possibly methane ice, which contributes to its relatively high reflectivity. Its composition suggests a mixture of rock and ice, with a significant portion of its surface covered in frozen volatiles.

 

1. 2. Orbit

• • • Orbit around the Sun: Makemake orbits the Sun in a nearly circular orbit with a period of about 305 Earth years. It is in the Kuiper Belt, a region of the Solar System beyond the orbit of Neptune.
    • Distance from the Sun: Its distance from the Sun ranges from about 39 AU (at perihelion) to about 48 AU (at aphelion). One AU is the average distance from Earth to the Sun.

 

1. 3. Surface and Atmosphere

• • • Surface Features: Makemake’s surface is covered in a bright layer of methane ice and possibly ethane. The surface is relatively smooth, with fewer large craters compared to some other Kuiper Belt objects.
    • Atmosphere: Makemake has a very tenuous atmosphere composed mainly of methane. The atmosphere is extremely thin, and it is believed to freeze out onto the surface when Makemake is at its farthest distance from the Sun.

 

1. 4. Temperature

Makemake is extremely cold, with surface temperatures estimated to be around -239°C (-398°F). This frigid temperature is a result of its great distance from the Sun and the reflective properties of its icy surface.

 

1. 5. Moon

MK 2: Makemake has one known moon, informally designated MK 2 (also known as S/2015 (136472) 1). It was discovered in 2015 and is relatively small compared to Makemake, with a diameter of about 161 km (100 miles). The moon orbits Makemake at about 21,000 km (13,000 miles).

 

1. 6. Discovery and Naming

• • • Discovery: Makemake was discovered on March 31, 2005, by a team led by Michael E. Brown at the Palomar Observatory. It was officially announced in 2008.
    • Naming: Makemake is named after the creator deity of the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island. The name reflects its significance as one of the major trans-Neptunian objects and its cultural connection to the Rapa Nui mythology.

 

1. 7. Orbital Characteristics

• • • Eccentricity: Makemake’s orbit is relatively circular, with a low eccentricity, which means it has a less elongated path around the Sun compared to some other Kuiper Belt objects.
    • Inclination: Its orbit is slightly inclined relative to the plane of the Solar System, but not as tilted as some other distant Solar System objects.

 

1. 8. Scientific Significance

Makemake’s discovery and study contribute to our understanding of the Kuiper Belt and the characteristics of distant icy bodies. Its relatively high reflectivity and bright surface provide insights into the composition and surface processes of dwarf planets in the outer Solar System.

 

1. 9. Interesting Facts

• • • High Reflectivity: Makemake’s surface is one of the brightest among known dwarf planets, reflecting about 70% of the sunlight that hits it. This high albedo is due to its icy surface.
    • Distant Object: Being in the Kuiper Belt, Makemake is part of the distant region of the Solar System that is populated by icy bodies and dwarf planets. Its study helps us understand the outermost regions of our planetary system.