10 Facts about Makemake | Less Known Facts

Facts about Makemake tell the readers about a dwarf planet. Compared to Pluto, Makemake is two-thirds bigger. In Kuiper belt, it is the largest object. S/2015 is the only known satellite of Makemake. The scientists believe that ethane, methane and nitrogen ices cover the surface of Makemake because it has a very low temperature at −243.2 degrees Celsius. Here are other interesting facts about Makemake to notice:

Facts about Makemake 1: discovery

Michael E. Brown was the leader of a team of scientists who discovered Makemake on 31st March 2005. The announcement of the Makemake’s discovery went public on 29th July 2005.

Facts about Makemake 2: the initial name

Makemake was called 2005 FY9 at first. Then it was renamed into a minor-planet number 136472.

Facts about Makemake

Facts about Makemake 3: as a dwarf planet

In July 2008, IAU or International Astronomical Union gave Makemake the status as a dwarf planet. The word Makemake is taken from the mythology of the indigenous people of Easter Island, Rapa Nui people.

Facts about Makemake 4: delayed announcement

Even though the team had already discovered the dwarf planet in 2005, the announcement was delayed because they wanted to have full calculation and observation on the object.

Facts about Makemake 5: discoveries

The team announced the discoveries of Makemake and Eris on the same day. Actually, Haumea was also tracked by the team. However, it was not announced at that date. A different team in Spain had already announced Haumea on 27th July 2005.

Makemake Facts

Facts about Makemake 6: the detection

Actually, Makemake is a large and relatively bright object. However, it escaped the detection due to the high orbital inclination.

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Facts about Makemake 7: the codename

“Easterbunny” was the codename of Makemake when it was traced by a team of scientists. When the discovery was made into public, it was called 2005 FY9.