Haumea

Haumea is a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt, a region of the outer solar system beyond the orbit of Neptune. It was discovered in 2004 by a team of astronomers led by Mike Brown at the Palomar Observatory in California.

Physical Characteristics

Haumea is an elongated and rapidly rotating body, with its shape being significantly different from the other known dwarf planets. It is approximately one-third the mass of Pluto and is one of the fastest rotating large objects in our solar system, completing a full rotation in just under four hours.

Surface Features

Haumea's surface is covered in crystalline water ice, which gives it a high albedo (reflectivity). It has a reddish-brown color, likely due to the presence of organic compounds known as tholins. The surface also shows evidence of a recent collision, which is believed to have created its two moons and caused the elongation of the dwarf planet.

Moons

Haumea has two known moons, Hi'iaka and Namaka, which were discovered in 2005 and 2005, respectively. These moons are named after the Hawaiian goddess Haumea's daughters.