Explanation:
One of the strangest objects in the outer Solar System was classified as a
dwarf planet last week and given the name Haumea.
This designation makes
Haumea
the fifth designated
dwarf planet
after Pluto,
Ceres,
Eris, and
Makemake.
Haumea's smooth but
oblong shape
make it extremely unusual.
Along one direction,
Haumea is significantly longer than Pluto, while in
another direction Haumea has an extent very similar to Pluto, while in the
third direction is much smaller.
Haumea's orbit sometimes brings it closer to the Sun than Pluto,
but usually Haumea is further away.
Illustrated above, an artist visualizes Haumea as a nearly featureless
ellipsoid.
Quite possibly, however, Haumea has interesting craters and
surface features that currently remain unknown.
Originally discovered in 2003 and given the
temporary designation of
2003 EL61,
Haumea was recently renamed by the
IAU for a
Hawaiian goddess.
Haumea has two
small moons
discovered in 2005, recently renamed
Hi'iaka and
Namaka
for daughters of the goddess.
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