Astronomy Picture of the Day

NASA ^ | 7/16/08 | R. Hurt (SSC-Caltech)

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Makemake of the Outer Solar System
Credit: R. Hurt (SSC-Caltech), JPL-Caltech, NASA

Explanation: Recently discovered Makemake is one of the largest objects known in the outer Solar System. Pronounced MAH-kay MAH-kay, this Kuiper belt object is only slightly smaller than Pluto, orbits the Sun only slightly further out than Pluto, and appears only slightly dimmer than Pluto. Makemake, however, has an orbit much more tilted to the ecliptic plane of the planets than Pluto. Designated 2005 FY9 soon after its discovery by a team led by Mike Brown (Caltech) in 2005, the outer Solar System orb was recently renamed Makemake for the creator of humanity in the Rapa Nui mythology of Easter Island. Additionally, Makemake has been recently classified as a dwarf planet under the new subcategory plutoid, making Makemake the third cataloged plutoid after Pluto and Eris. Makemake is known to be a world somewhat red in appearance, with spectra indicating it is likely covered with frozen methane. Since no images of Makemake's surface yet exist, an artist's illustration originally meant to depict Sedna has been boldly co-opted above to now illustrate Makemake. A hypothetical moon is visualized above nearly in the direction of our distant Sun.

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[wastedyears]

Save Pluto

[cripplecreek]

an artist's illustration originally meant to depict Sedna has been boldly co-opted above to now illustrate Makemake.



I tell ya, I can't get no respect.

[LiberConservative]

Pluto was demoted to “dwarf” planet status. Shouldn’t that be “little planet” status?

[BenLurkin]

It looks like the planet from MST 3000.

[BroJoeK]

"Makemake has been recently classified as a dwarf planet under the new subcategory plutoid, making Makemake the third cataloged plutoid after Pluto and Eris."

Plutoid??

Since when did planets start turning into Plutoids?

Was I playing hooky from class that day?

[xJones]

Let's not name names, but let me tell you that this has someone at Disney really mad:

[mikrofon]

Makemake is s-so fa-far aw-away it mu-must b-be re-real co-cold out th-there...

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Actually, the Disney character was named for the then newly-discovered planet.

[xJones]

Actually, the Disney character was named for the then newly-discovered planet.

Yes, I know, and that's why I tried to make a joke about Pluto being upset. I'm sorry, I need to put in one those 'this is a joke' alerts. Why did you think I posted a gif of Disney's cartoon character, Pluto, in the first place?

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Actually, this came up a lot during the Pluto downgrade controversy. A lot of people who posted the Disney character were surprised to learn about his relationship to the planet(oid).

[potlatch]

You would like this one devolve.

[BroJoeK]

"Actually, the Disney character was named for the then newly-discovered planet."

"Newly discovered planet," I understand.
"Plutoid" has me worried.
Is that something like a Clintonoid, or Obamoid -- young things with eager minds and healthy bodies willing to do their leader's bidding?

And the "leader" in this case is a very silly doggy? ;-)

Somehow, doesn't quite compute...

[Pistolshot]

it is likely covered with frozen methane.

This place must really stink!