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Dwarf planet Haumea shines with crystalline ice
Introduction
Haumea is a dwarf planet located beyond Neptune in the Kuiper Belt. It was discovered in 2004 and is named after the Hawaiian goddess of childbirth and fertility. Haumea is unique among the dwarf planets because of its elongated shape and fast rotation. Recently, scientists have discovered that Haumea's surface is covered in crystalline ice, which gives it a unique shine.
Haumea's surface composition
Haumea's surface is made up of a combination of rock and ice. The ice on Haumea's surface is not like the ice we see on Earth. Instead, it is made up of crystalline water, which is a type of ice that forms at extremely low temperatures. This type of ice is much harder and more reflective than the ice we are used to seeing.
The discovery of crystalline ice on Haumea
In 2011, a team of scientists led by Dr. Pedro Lacerda from Queen's University Belfast discovered that Haumea's surface was covered in crystalline ice. The team used the Herschel Space Observatory to study Haumea's surface and found that it was much brighter than they had expected. They concluded that the brightness was due to the presence of crystalline ice.
The properties of crystalline ice
Crystalline ice is much harder and more reflective than the ice we are used to seeing. This is because the water molecules in crystalline ice are arranged in a specific pattern, which makes the ice much more stable. Crystalline ice is also much more reflective than regular ice, which is why Haumea appears to shine.
The implications of the discovery
The discovery of crystalline ice on Haumea has important implications for our understanding of the outer solar system. It suggests that the conditions in the Kuiper Belt are different from what we had previously thought. It also raises questions about how Haumea's surface was formed and how it has changed over time.
Conclusion
Haumea is a unique and fascinating dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt. The discovery of crystalline ice on its surface has shed new light on the conditions in the outer solar system and has raised important questions about the formation and evolution of Haumea's surface.
FAQs
What is the Kuiper Belt?
The Kuiper Belt is a region of the solar system beyond Neptune that is home to many small, icy objects.
How was Haumea discovered?
Haumea was discovered in 2004 by a team of astronomers led by Mike Brown at the California Institute of Technology.
How does Haumea's shape differ from other dwarf planets?
Haumea's elongated shape is thought to be the result of a collision with another object in the Kuiper Belt.
What other discoveries have been made in the Kuiper Belt?
The Kuiper Belt is home to many interesting objects, including Pluto, which was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006. Other notable objects in the Kuiper Belt include Eris, Makemake, and Sedna.
What is the Herschel Space Observatory?
The Herschel Space Observatory was a space telescope operated by the European Space Agency from 2009 to 2013. It was used to study the infrared radiation emitted by objects in the universe.
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