This image compares the size of Makemake with the previously announced dwarf planets (Pluto, Eris, and Ceres) and with Earth. Makemake is smaller than both Pluto and Eris, but larger than Ceres. Astronomers haven't yet determined the exact diameter of Makemake; it may be as large as 1,900 km or as small as 1,300 km. Note that none of the distances between objects in this image are to scale. Click on image for full size (85 Kb) Images courtesy of NASA, ESA, JPL, and A. Feild (STScI).

Makemake is a dwarf planet in our Solar System. Makemake was discovered on March 31, 2005 by a team of astronomers led by Mike Brown of the California Institute of Technology. The International Astronomical Union announced Makemake's official status as a dwarf planet in July 2008.

Makemake is the fourth object to be classified as a dwarf planet, after Pluto, Ceres, and Eris. Like Pluto and Eris, Makemake is a large Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) that orbits far from the Sun on the frozen fringes of our Solar System. Because it is so far away, Makemake takes nearly 310 years to orbit the Sun once! On average, Makemake is about 16% further from the Sun than Pluto, though both of these dwarf planets move closer to and further from the Sun as they go around.

Makemake is named after the god of fertility and creator of humans in the mythology of the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island. When it was discovered shortly after Easter in 2005, Brown and his co-discoverers gave this dwarf planet the temporary nickname of "Easterbunny". It made sense, then, to use a character from the mythology of Easter Island when a permanent name was selected. Before it was given its official name, Makemake was also known as 2005 FY₉.

Makemake is smaller than both Pluto and Eris. Its diameter is between 1,300 and 1,900 km (808 to 1,181 miles), making it roughly three-fourths the size of Pluto. Astronomers haven't yet detected any moons circling Makemake, which is unusual; other large KBOs (including Pluto and Eris) have one or more moons.

The surface of Makemake appears to be somewhat red in color, and is quite bright and shiny (with a high albedo of 0.8). This dwarf planet's surface temperature is a frigid minus 240° C (-406° F)! Makemake may be covered with ices made of methane and possibly ethane. Some astronomers think Pluto has a transient atmosphere, and that Makemake may as well. If this idea is correct, the methane and other gases form an atmosphere when the dwarf planets are closer to the Sun and are therefore warmer. However, during the portion of Makemake's orbit that carries it further from the Sun's warming rays, these gases may freeze and "snow out" onto the surface, leaving Makemake without an atmosphere.

Makemake, along with Pluto and Eris (but not Ceres!), is also classified as a "plutoid". Plutoids are dwarf planets which, like their namesake Pluto, orbit the Sun out beyond the planet Neptune.

This picture shows how big Makemake is. Compare it to the first three dwarf planets (Pluto, Eris, and Ceres) and to Earth. Makemake is smaller than both Pluto and Eris. It is larger than Ceres. Makemake has a diameter between 1,300 km and 1,900 km. None of the distances between objects in this picture are to scale. Click on image for full size (85 Kb) Images courtesy of NASA, ESA, JPL, and A. Feild (STScI).

Makemake is a dwarf planet in our Solar System. Makemake was discovered in March 2005 by a team of astronomers led by Mike Brown. Makemake officially became a dwarf planet in July 2008.

There were three other dwarf planets before Makemake. They are Pluto, Ceres, and Eris. Makemake is a large Kuiper Belt Object (KBO). It is an icy world that orbits far from the Sun on the frozen fringes of our Solar System. Pluto and Eris are KBOs too. Because it is so far away, Makemake takes nearly 310 years to orbit the Sun once! Makemake is usually a bit further from the Sun than Pluto.

Makemake is named after a god of the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island (the place with the cool statues). Makemake is the god of fertility and the creator of humans in Rapa Nui mythology. Makemake was discovered soon after Easter in 2005. The astronomers nicknamed it "Easterbunny". When they chose an official name, they decided they should use a character from the mythology of Easter Island.

Makemake is smaller than both Pluto and Eris. Its diameter is between 1,300 and 1,900 km (808 to 1,181 miles). That makes it about three-fourths the size of Pluto. Astronomers haven't found any moons circling Makemake yet. That is a bit odd, because other large KBOs (including Pluto and Eris) do have one or more moons.

Makemake is very, very cold. The temperature there is about minus 240° C (-406° F)! Makemake may be covered with ice. That ice would probably be made of methane and maybe ethane. The surface of Makemake is very bright, which you would expect of ice. It is also a bit red in color, which you might not expect!

Makemake may have an atmosphere... at least some of the time! When the dwarf planet is closer to the Sun in its orbit, it probably warms up some. Maybe the methane and ethane are gases then, and form an atmosphere. When Makemake is further from the Sun in its orbit, it should be colder. Maybe the gases freeze then, and fall to the ground as snow... and the atmosphere is gone! Scientists don't know if this happens, but it might. The same thing may happen on Pluto, too.

Makemake, along with Pluto and Eris (but not Ceres!), is also considered as a "plutoid". Plutoids are dwarf planets which, like Pluto, orbit the Sun out beyond the planet Neptune.

This picture shows how big Makemake is. Compare it to the first three dwarf planets (Pluto, Eris, and Ceres) and to Earth. Makemake is smaller than both Pluto and Eris. It is larger than Ceres. Makemake has a diameter between 1,300 km and 1,900 km. None of the distances between objects in this picture are to scale. Click on image for full size (85 Kb) Images courtesy of NASA, ESA, JPL, and A. Feild (STScI).

Makemake is a dwarf planet in our Solar System. Makemake was discovered in March 2005 by a team of astronomers led by Mike Brown. Makemake officially became a dwarf planet in July 2008.

There were three other dwarf planets before Makemake. They are Pluto, Ceres, and Eris. Makemake is a large Kuiper Belt Object (KBO). It is an icy world that orbits far from the Sun on the edge of our Solar System. Pluto and Eris are KBOs too. Because it is so far away, Makemake takes nearly 310 years to orbit the Sun once! Makemake is usually a bit further from the Sun than Pluto.

Makemake is named after a god of the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island (the place with the cool statues). Makemake is the god of fertility and the creator of humans in Rapa Nui mythology. Makemake was discovered soon after Easter in 2005. The astronomers nicknamed it "Easterbunny". When they chose an official name, they decided they should use a character from the mythology of Easter Island.

Makemake is smaller than both Pluto and Eris. Its diameter is between 1,300 and 1,900 km (808 to 1,181 miles). That makes it about three-fourths the size of Pluto. Astronomers haven't found any moons circling Makemake yet. That is a bit odd, because other large KBOs (including Pluto and Eris) do have one or more moons.

Makemake is very, very cold. The temperature there is about minus 240° C (-406° F)! Makemake may be covered with ice. That ice would probably be made of methane and maybe ethane. The surface of Makemake is very bright, which you would expect of ice. It is also a bit red in color, which you might not expect!

Makemake may have an atmosphere... at least some of the time! When the dwarf planet is closer to the Sun in its orbit, it probably warms up some. Maybe the methane and ethane are gases then, and form an atmosphere. When Makemake is further from the Sun in its orbit, it should be colder. Maybe the gases freeze then, and fall to the ground as snow... and the atmosphere is gone! Scientists don't know if this happens, but it might. The same thing may happen on Pluto, too.