Haumea
Haumea is a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt, which is a region of the solar system that extends beyond the orbit of Neptune. It was discovered in 2004 by a team of astronomers at the Palomar Observatory in California.
Characteristics of Haumea
- Shape: Haumea is known for its elongated shape, resembling a rugby ball. This shape is believed to be the result of its rapid rotation, which causes it to bulge at the equator.
- Size: Haumea is one of the largest known trans-Neptunian objects, with a diameter of approximately 1,400 kilometers.
- Surface: Its surface is covered in crystalline water ice and is believed to be one of the most reflective objects in the solar system.
- Moons: Haumea has two known moons, Hi'iaka and Namaka, which were discovered in 2005.
Orbital Characteristics
- Orbit: Haumea has a highly elliptical orbit, which takes it from about 35 AU (astronomical units) from the Sun at its closest to 51 AU at its farthest.
- Rotation: It rotates very rapidly, completing a full rotation in about 4 hours.
- Classification: It is classified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
Study Guide
Here are some study questions to help you better understand the topic:
- What is the shape of Haumea and what causes it to have this shape?
- How does Haumea compare in size to other objects in the Kuiper Belt?
- What are the surface characteristics of Haumea?
- How many moons does Haumea have and what are their names?
- Describe the orbital characteristics of Haumea.
- What classification has Haumea been given by the IAU?
By studying these questions and the information provided, you can gain a better understanding of the dwarf planet Haumea and its place in the solar system.
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Activity LessonWorksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyVocabulary/Answer keyVocabulary/Answer keyThe resources above cover the following skills:
LIFE SCIENCE
From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
Create representations to explain the unique and diverse life cycles of organisms other than humans (e.g., flowering plants, frogs, butterflies), including commonalities such as birth, growth, reproduction, and death.
Unity and Diversity
Construct an argument from evidence to explain the likelihood of an organism’s ability to survive when compared to the resources in a certain habitat (e.g., freshwater organisms survive well, less well, or not at all in saltwater; desert organisms survive well, less well, or not at all in woodlands).
Create models that illustrate how organisms and their habitats make up a system in which the parts depend on each other.