Published , Modified Abstract on Hubble Discovers Moon Orbiting the Dwarf Planet Makemake Original source
Hubble Discovers Moon Orbiting the Dwarf Planet Makemake
Introduction
The Hubble Space Telescope has discovered a moon orbiting the dwarf planet Makemake. This discovery is significant because it is the first time a moon has been found orbiting Makemake, which is one of the five dwarf planets recognized by the International Astronomical Union. This article will explore the discovery of the moon and its implications for our understanding of the outer solar system.
What is Makemake?
Makemake is a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt, a region of the outer solar system beyond the orbit of Neptune. It was discovered in 2005 and is named after the creation deity of the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island. Makemake is about two-thirds the size of Pluto and has a surface temperature of about -240 degrees Celsius.
The Discovery of the Moon
The moon orbiting Makemake was discovered by the Hubble Space Telescope on April 26, 2016. The moon is estimated to be about 160 kilometers in diameter and orbits Makemake at a distance of about 21,000 kilometers. The discovery was made using Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3, which is capable of detecting faint objects in the outer solar system.
Implications of the Discovery
The discovery of the moon orbiting Makemake has several implications for our understanding of the outer solar system. First, it suggests that Makemake may have formed in a similar way to Pluto, which also has several moons. Second, it provides new insights into the formation and evolution of the Kuiper Belt, which is thought to be a remnant of the early solar system. Finally, it highlights the importance of continued exploration of the outer solar system, which is still largely unexplored.
Other Dwarf Planets in the Kuiper Belt
Makemake is one of five recognized dwarf planets in the Kuiper Belt. The other four are Pluto, Haumea, Eris, and Ceres. Pluto is the largest and most well-known of the five, and was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006. Haumea is notable for its elongated shape, while Eris is slightly larger than Pluto and was the catalyst for Pluto's reclassification. Ceres, which is located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006.
Conclusion
The discovery of a moon orbiting Makemake is a significant development in our understanding of the outer solar system. It provides new insights into the formation and evolution of the Kuiper Belt, and highlights the importance of continued exploration of the outer solar system. As our technology improves, we can expect to make more discoveries like this one, which will help us to better understand the universe we live in.
FAQs
What is a dwarf planet?
A dwarf planet is a celestial body that orbits the sun and is spherical in shape, but has not cleared its orbit of other debris.
How many moons does Makemake have?
Makemake has one moon, which was discovered by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2016.
What is the Kuiper Belt?
The Kuiper Belt is a region of the outer solar system beyond the orbit of Neptune that is home to many small, icy objects, including dwarf planets like Pluto and Makemake.
Why is the discovery of a moon orbiting Makemake significant?
The discovery of a moon orbiting Makemake provides new insights into the formation and evolution of the Kuiper Belt, and highlights the importance of continued exploration of the outer solar system.
What other dwarf planets are in the Kuiper Belt?
The other recognized dwarf planets in the Kuiper Belt are Pluto, Haumea, Eris, and Ceres.
This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.