Makemake is one of the dwarf planets that exists in our solar system. It was officially discovered in 2005 by Mike Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David Rabinowitz, who were searching for objects beyond the orbit of Neptune. Makemake, which is named after the creation deity of the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island, is the third-largest object in the Kuiper Belt after Pluto and Eris and lies approximately 4.4 billion miles away from the sun. Additionally, Makemake has a unique reddish-brown color, and its surface is covered with methane, nitrogen, and ethane ices. Unlike other dwarf planets, Makemake does not have a moon or a significant atmosphere. Its discovery has added to our understanding of the distant reaches of our solar system and the diversity of the objects that inhabit it. This article will delve into the history of the discovery, the properties of Makemake, and its importance in the study of the Kuiper Belt and the solar system as a whole.
The Early Years: The Search for the Ninth Planet
In the early 1900s, astronomers began to observe that the orbits of Uranus and Neptune were not behaving as expected. They hypothesized that there must be another planet beyond Neptune, exerting a gravitational pull on these outer planets.
Percival Lowell's Predictions
One of those astronomers was Percival Lowell. He was convinced that there had to be a ninth planet and spent much of his life searching for it. In fact, he even founded an observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona specifically for this purpose.
Lowell's predictions about the ninth planet were based on observations of Uranus and Neptune. He noticed irregularities in their orbits which led him to believe that another massive object must be exerting gravitational influence upon them.
Clyde Tombaugh's Discovery
Lowell died before he could locate his elusive ninth planet. However, his work was continued by a young astronomer named Clyde Tombaugh who joined Lowell Observatory in 1929.
Tombaugh used photographic plates to systematically scan the night sky in search of any movement or changes in position among stars - an indication that there may be a nearby planet.
Finally, on February 18th 1930, after months of meticulous work examining thousands upon thousands of photographic images taken at different times over many nights,Tombaugh finally found what he had been looking for - Pluto!
Pluto: Not Quite What They Expected
At first, astronomers believed they had discovered the long sought-after ninth planet. However as time passed they began to realize that Pluto wasn't quite what they expected it to be; its size was small compared with other planets and its orbit was unusual (more elliptical rather than circular).
Over time it became clear that Pluto wasn't alone out there beyond Neptune – other objects with similar characteristics were being discovered too.
### The Kuiper Belt
The discovery raised questions about the nature of the outer solar system. It also led to the theory that there may be a region beyond Neptune containing numerous icy objects, collectively known as the Kuiper Belt.
In 2005, astronomers discovered a new dwarf planet in this region called Eris which was actually larger than Pluto and reignited debate over what constituted a planet.
Mike Brown's Discovery
Meanwhile, back in California, Mike Brown - an astronomer at Caltech - was using telescopes to search for large objects beyond Neptune. In 2003 he discovered Sedna - another dwarf planet-like object with an unusual orbit.
Then on March 31st, 2005 Brown announced that his team had found yet another distant object, provisionally designated as "Easterbunny" (later renamed Makemake).
The Discovery: Unveiling the Existence of Makemake
After years of searching, Mike Brown and his team finally discovered a new dwarf planet beyond Neptune on March 31st, 2005 - Makemake. The discovery was made using data from the Palomar Observatory in California.
How Makemake Got its Name
Makemake was named after a creation deity in Rapa Nui mythology, also known as Easter Island. This name was chosen to honor the connection between the remote island and the remote region where this dwarf planet resides.
Characteristics of Makemake
Makemake is one of five officially recognized dwarf planets in our solar system. It is located within the Kuiper Belt at a distance from Earth that ranges from approximately 4.4 to 7.9 billion miles.
Here are some key characteristics of this unique body:
- Size: With a diameter estimated to be around two-thirds that of Pluto, it is one of the largest objects found within the Kuiper Belt.
- Orbit: Its orbit takes about 309 Earth years to complete and has an eccentricity similar to Pluto's orbit.
- Composition: Like other objects found within this region, it is believed that Makemake has a composition primarily consisting of ice and rock.
Initial Challenges with Classifying Makemake as a Dwarf Planet
The discovery raised questions about whether or not it should be classified as a dwarf planet like Pluto or as another type of object entirely. Initially there were concerns over whether or not it met all three criteria for classification as a planet set forth bythe International Astronomical Union (IAU).
However after much debate among astronomers,Makemakewas eventually designated as adwarfplanet just like Erisand Pluto.
ImportanceoftheDiscoveryofMakemadeinUnderstandingOuterSolarSystem
The discoveryofMakemadehas been instrumental under standingthephysicalproperties andtheevolution of the outer solar system. It has helped us to better understand the dynamics and composition of the Kuiper Belt, which is believed to contain thousands of icy objects beyond Neptune.
Here are some ways in which the discovery of Makemake has contributed to our understanding:
- Revealing More About Dwarf Planets: By studying Makemake, astronomers have been able to learn more about dwarf planets in general - their physical properties, orbits, and composition.
- Understanding Kuiper Belt Objects: The discovery has allowed scientists to gain a better understanding of other objects within the Kuiper Belt. For example, studying Makemake has provided clues into how these bodies form and evolve over time.
- Refining Our DefinitionofaPlanet: As with Pluto's reclassification as a dwarf planet,Makemake'sdiscoverycausedastronomers torethinkwhatconstitutesaplanet. This process eventually ledtotheofficialdefinitionas set forth bytheInternational Astronomical Union (IAU).
Makemake's Characteristics: Understanding the Dwarf Planet
Makemake is a fascinating dwarf planet located within the Kuiper Belt, beyond Neptune. Here we explore some of its key characteristics that make it unique and interesting to scientists.
Size and Mass
Makemake has an estimated diameter of approximately 870 miles (1400 km), making it one of the largest objects found within the Kuiper Belt. However, its exact mass remains unknown as it is difficult to measure from Earth.
Surface Composition
Like other objects within this region, Makemake's surface is believed to be primarily composed of ice - specifically methane, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide ices. However, recent observations have also detected traces of ethane on its surface.
The coloration on its surface varies with regions; reddish-brown areas are probably due to irradiated organic material while bluer regions are thought to result from methane frost covering water ice.
Atmosphere
Although there is limited information available about Makemake's atmosphere,it is believed that it does have one – most likely composed primarily of nitrogen gas - similar in composition to Pluto’s atmosphere.
However,Makmakewas observed having a thin atmosphere during an occultation event in 2011 by blocking starlight.The data suggests that any potential atmosphere present around Makemake would be much thinner than Pluto's or Eris'.
Orbit
Makemake has an eccentric orbit with an average distance from the sunofabout52 astronomical units (AU), whichis equivalentto7.8 billion kilometers or4.8 billion miles.It takes approximately 310 Earth years for this dwarf planet complete one orbit around our Sun.
Its orbit lies in what astronomers call a "resonance," meaning that for every three times Neptune orbits the Sun,Makmake orbits twice.This orbital resonance helps stabilize their orbits over long periods.
Temperature
Unlike other planets in our solar system, Makemake does not generate its own heat and instead relies on the Sun for warmth. However,because it is so far from the Sun, temperatures on Makemake are extremely cold - around minus 390 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 234 Celsius).
Discovering More About Makemake through Observation
The study of Makemake has been limited due to its distance from Earth and its small size.However,astronomers use a variety of techniques to learn as much as they can about this dwarf planet.
One such technique is through occultation events where scientists observe how the dwarf planet blocks light from distant stars.This method provides information about the size, shape, and even potential atmosphere of Makemake.
Another technique involves using telescopes with advanced imaging capabilities like Hubble Space Telescope or Keck Observatoryto capture high-resolution images that reveal physical features of this distant world.
The Future: What Makemake Can Tell Us About Our Solar System
While there is still much to learn about Makemake, what we have discovered so far has provided valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system. Here are some ways in which further study of this dwarf planet could contribute to our understanding.
Studying the Kuiper Belt
Makemake's location within the Kuiper Belt makes it an important object for studying this region. By learning more about its physical properties, astronomers can better understand how objects form and evolve within this remote area of our solar system.
Understanding Planetary Formation
Because Makemake is believed to be a remnant from early in the history of our solar system,it provides insights into how planets formed billions of years ago.In particular, studying its composition and structure can help us understand how these objects differentiate over time by separating materials based on density.
Shedding Light on Pluto's Characteristics
Studying Makemake also helps us better understand other dwarf planets like Pluto. For example, comparing data from both worlds has revealed that they share similar surface composition - primarily composedof ice with tracesof methane,nitrogenand carbon monoxide.
However, differences between them such as their mass and orbit reveal that they have distinct histories. Further analysis will help scientists determine if these differences are due to their location or due to other factors such as size or impact events in their early history.
Discovering More Dwarf Planets
The discovery of Makemake has led astronomers to search for even more dwarf planet-like objects beyond Neptune.Astronomers continue searching using various techniques including occultations,the detectionof moving objects,and high-resolution imaging technology.The hope is that new discoveries will provide even more insight into the outer reaches of our solar system.
The discoveryofMakemadehas opened up new avenuesforunderstandingtheouterreachesofour solar system. Its existence and physical properties have led to new insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system, as well as our understanding of other dwarf planets like Pluto.
As technology continues to improve, astronomers will be able to gather more detailed data about Makemake and other objects within the Kuiper Belt - allowing us to further refine our understanding of these remote regions.
The future is bright for studying Makemakeand we are eagerly waitingto see what new discoveries await us in this distant region beyond Neptune.
FAQs
What is Makemake and how was it discovered?
Makemake is a dwarf planet located beyond Neptune, in the Kuiper belt region of the solar system. It was discovered on March 31, 2005, by a team of astronomers led by Mike Brown at the California Institute of Technology using the Palomar Observatory.
How does Makemake compare to other dwarf planets in our solar system?
Makemake is one of the largest and brightest objects in the Kuiper Belt, but it is smaller than Pluto. However, it is larger than Eris, the only other dwarf planet discovered in the Kuiper Belt so far. Makemake also has a very elongated and tilted orbit, which makes it unique among known dwarf planets.
What is the significance of the discovery of Makemake?
The discovery of Makemake is significant because it adds to our understanding of the outer solar system and the formation of our solar system. It also confirms the existence of a third distinct population of trans-Neptunian objects, along with the scattered disc and the Kuiper Belt.
Can Makemake sustain life?
No, Makemake cannot sustain life as we know it. It is a cold, airless, and barren world with no atmosphere or water. Its surface is composed of frozen methane, ethane, and nitrogen, and temperatures on its surface are estimated to be around -240 degrees Celsius.