Haumea
Haumea is a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt, a region of the outer Solar System. It was discovered in 2004 by a team led by Mike Brown at the Palomar Observatory in California.
Physical Characteristics
Haumea is unique among the known dwarf planets due to its elongated shape, which is thought to be the result of a high rotational speed that has caused it to become elongated. Its shape is often compared to that of a rugby ball.
Orbit and Size
Haumea orbits the Sun at an average distance of about 43 astronomical units (AU), and it takes approximately 285 years to complete one orbit. Its size is approximately 1,400 kilometers in diameter, making it one of the largest objects in the Kuiper Belt.
Surface Composition
The surface of Haumea is thought to be composed primarily of water ice, with evidence of crystalline ice and possibly some traces of methane and nitrogen. The presence of these ices gives Haumea a high albedo, causing it to appear very bright.
Satellites
Haumea has two known moons, Hi'iaka and Namaka, which were discovered in 2005. These moons are thought to have formed as a result of a collision between Haumea and another object in the distant past.
Study Guide
- What is the unique physical characteristic of Haumea?
- How long does it take for Haumea to complete one orbit around the Sun?
- What are the primary components of Haumea's surface composition?
- How many moons does Haumea have, and when were they discovered?
[Haumea] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:
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Worksheet/Answer key