Hubble Discovers Moon Orbiting Dwarf Planet Makemake
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has captured images of a tiny moon orbiting the dwarf planet Makemake, located in the distant Kuiper Belt. This exciting discovery opens up new possibilities for studying the outer solar system and dwarf planets like Pluto.
Makemake: A Pluto-like Object
Makemake is the third-largest known object in the Kuiper Belt, after Pluto and Eris. It is classified as a dwarf planet, which means it is too small and irregularly shaped to be considered a full-fledged planet. Makemake is located billions of miles beyond Neptune’s orbit and is composed of ice, rock, and other materials.
Discovery of MK2
The moon orbiting Makemake has been named MK2, or S/2015 (136472) 1. It is approximately 124 miles in diameter and appears as a faint dot in Hubble images. Astronomers believe that MK2’s orbit is likely edge-on, meaning that it is often difficult to see because it gets lost in the glare of Makemake.
Orbit and Composition
Early estimates suggest that MK2’s orbit around Makemake takes between 12 and 660 days to complete. The moon is located about 13,000 miles from Makemake. By studying MK2’s size, orbit, and composition, astronomers hope to learn more about Makemake itself, including its density and the materials it is made of.
Clues to Makemake’s Formation
The shape and distance of MK2’s orbit could provide valuable clues about how it was formed. Astronomers believe that MK2 may have formed from a collision between Makemake and another object in the Kuiper Belt. By studying MK2, scientists can gain insights into the processes that shaped the outer solar system billions of years ago.
Future Studies
The discovery of MK2 has generated excitement among astronomers and has opened up new avenues for research. The Hubble Space Telescope and its successor, the James Webb Space Telescope, will be used to study MK2 in greater detail in the coming years. These observations will help astronomers understand the nature of MK2 and its relationship with Makemake.
Significance for Comparative Planetology
The discovery of MK2 is not only important for understanding Makemake, but also for comparative planetology, the study of different planets and their moons. By comparing MK2 to other moons in the solar system, astronomers can gain insights into the diversity of planetary systems and the processes that shape them.
Expanding Our Knowledge of the Solar System
The Hubble Space Telescope continues to play a vital role in expanding our knowledge of the solar system. The discovery of MK2 orbiting Makemake is a testament to the power of space-based telescopes and the ongoing quest to explore the mysteries of our cosmic neighborhood.