Haumea: Facts, Name, Day Length, Size, Distance
Haumea is a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune’s orbit. It was discovered in 2004 by a team led by Mike Brown at Caltech’s Palomar Observatory. Haumea measures 1,960 km in length and has two known moons, Namaka and Hi’iaka. Its rotation causes an elongated shape, completing one rotation every 3.9 hours. Haumea’s surface consists of crystalline water ice mixed with darker organic material.
Haumea takes 285 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun. Its shape resembles an ostrich egg, making it the least spherical dwarf planet. Its mass is 1/1400th of Earth’s mass. Haumea has two known moons named Namaka and Hi’iaka.
Haumea is named after the Hawaiian goddess of childbirth and fertility. The International Astronomical Union officially named it on September 17, 2008. Haumea’s two moons, Namaka and Hi’iaka, are named after the goddess’s children in Hawaiian mythology.
A day on Haumea lasts 3.9 Earth hours. Haumea’s rotation period ranks among the shortest for known celestial bodies. Haumea spins 6 times faster than Earth. Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes have confirmed Haumea’s rotation speed through scientific observations.
Haumea measures 1,960 x 1,518 x 996 kilometers (1,220 x 943 x 619 miles). Haumea’s equatorial radius spans 1,000 kilometers (621 miles). Haumea’s polar radius extends 750 kilometers (466 miles). Haumea’s size equals approximately 1/14th of Earth’s size, smaller than Pluto.
Haumea orbits the Sun at an average distance of 43 astronomical units (AU). 43 AU equals 4 billion miles or 6.5 billion kilometers. Haumea’s elliptical orbit varies its distance from 35 AU at perihelion to 45 AU at aphelion.
Haumea’s oval shape is caused by its rapid rotation. Fast rotation creates strong centrifugal forces, pushing Haumea’s equator outward. Centrifugal forces distort Haumea’s shape into a football-like form. Haumea rotates at a speed of 1,000 kilometers per hour at its equator.
What is Haumea?
Haumea is a dwarf planet located beyond Neptune’s orbit in the Kuiper Belt. A team headed by Mike Brown at Caltech’s Palomar Observatory discovered Haumea in 2004 and formally announced it in 2005. Haumea measures approximately 1,960 km in length and has two known moons, Namaka and Hi’iaka.
Haumea stands out among Kuiper Belt objects. Haumea’s rapid rotation causes its elongated shape, completing one rotation every 3.9 hours. Haumea’s rotation rate ranks among the fastest of large solar system bodies. Haumea has a very high albedo of 0.6-0.8, reflecting a significant amount of sunlight. Haumea’s surface composition consists primarily of crystalline water ice mixed with darker organic material.
Haumea’s mass equals 4.2 x 10^21 kilograms, 1/14th of Pluto’s mass. Haumea has two known moons named Hi’iaka and Namaka, believed to have formed from collision debris. Observations in 2017 indicated Haumea possesses a thin ring system.
Haumea’s name derives from the Hawaiian goddess of childbirth and fertility. Mike Brown, of Hawaiian descent, led the Haumea discovery team. Astronomers consider Haumea crucial for understanding outer Solar System formation and evolution.
What are fun facts about Haumea?
The fun facts about Haumea are listed below.
- Days on Haumea: A day on Haumea lasts four Earth hours, making it one of the fastest-rotating large objects in our solar system.
- A year on Haumea: Haumea takes 285 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun.
- Oval shape: Haumea’s shape resembles an ostrich egg, earning it the title of least spherical dwarf planet.
- Radius of Haumea: Haumea’s radius measures approximately 385 miles or 620 kilometers, putting it close to Pluto in size.
- Mass of Haumea: Haumea’s mass is 1/1400th of Earth’s mass.
- Location of Haumea: Haumea is located beyond Neptune’s orbit, classified as a trans-Neptunian object.
- The Kuiper Belt: Haumea resides in the Kuiper Belt, a region populated by icy bodies and other small celestial objects.
- Moons of Haumea: Haumea has two known moons named Namaka and Hi’iaka.
- Named after a Hawaaian goddess: Haumea’s name comes from the Hawaiian goddess of childbirth and fertility.
- Discovery of Haumea: Haumea’s discovery in 2004 involved astronomers at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii, solidifying its connection to Hawaiian culture.
Haumea rotates on its axis every 3.9 hours, making it one of the fastest-spinning large objects in the solar system. Dwarf planet Haumea has an elongated ellipsoid shape measuring 1,960 km x 1,518 km x 996 km. Two known moons, Hi’iaka and Namaka, orbit Haumea. Mike Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David Rabinowitz discovered Haumea in 2004.
What is Haumea named after?
Haumea is named after the Hawaiian goddess of childbirth and fertility. Astronomers discovered Haumea on December 17, 2004 at Palomar Observatory. The International Astronomical Union officially named it on September 17, 2008. Haumea has two moons, Namaka and Hi’iaka, named after the goddess’s children in Hawaiian mythology.
How long is a day on Haumea?
A day on Haumea lasts approximately 3.9 Earth hours. Haumea’s rotation period ranks among the shortest for known celestial bodies. Rapid rotation causes Haumea’s extremely brief days. Haumea spins about 6 times faster than Earth. Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes have confirmed Haumea’s quick rotation through scientific observations.
Haumea spins faster than any other large object in our solar system. Haumea’s quick rotation causes its elongated, ovoid shape due to centrifugal force. Astronomers have observed Haumea’s light curve to determine its rotation period accurately.
Haumea displays extreme variations in brightness as a result of its rapid spin. Researchers have identified Haumea as one of the fastest-spinning objects in the solar system. Scientists have attributed Haumea’s rapid rotation to its highly eccentric orbit and the effects of its moons.
How long is a year on Haumea?
Haumea’s year lasts 285 Earth years. Haumea orbits the Sun once in this time period. Haumea’s orbital period equals 104,025 Earth days. Haumea rotates rapidly on its axis every 4 hours. Haumea’s fast rotation causes its distinctive ellipsoidal shape. Haumea resides in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune.
Estimates of Haumea’s orbital period vary among different sources. Some round the figure to 283 years, while others use 285 years. Haumea orbits the Sun slowly due to its location in the Kuiper Belt. Haumea’s average distance from the Sun is 28.2 astronomical units (AU), compared to Earth’s 1 AU.
Haumea spins rapidly on its axis, completing one rotation every 3.9 hours. Haumea’s quick rotation contrasts with its long orbital period. Haumea’s orbit ranges from 35 AU to 51 AU. Haumea’s orbit is eccentric, contributing to the variations in its reported orbital period.
What is the size of Haumea?
Haumea measures 1,960 x 1,518 x 996 kilometers (1,220 x 943 x 619 miles). Haumea’s elongated shape resembles a rugby ball due to rapid rotation. Haumea’s equatorial radius spans 1,000 kilometers (621 miles). Haumea’s polar radius extends 750 kilometers (466 miles). Haumea’s size equals 1/14th of Earth’s size, smaller than Pluto.
Haumea’s average diameter is estimated at 1,632 km (1,015 miles). The dwarf planet’s diameter lengthways extends to about 2,320 kilometres (1,443 miles), while its width measures approximately 1,520 kilometres (944 miles). Haumea’s rapid rotation causes it to bulge out at the equator, contributing to its elongated shape. The current form of Haumea is believed to be the result of a massive collision early in the Solar System’s history.
What is the diameter of Haumea?
Haumea’s diameter varies due to its ellipsoid shape. Equatorial diameter measures approximately 1,960 km (1,220 miles). Polar diameter is about 1,518 km (943 miles). Rapid rotation period of 3.9 hours causes Haumea’s elongated form. Haumea ranks as the third-largest known dwarf planet, discovered in 2004 and classified in 2006.
How far is Haumea from the sun?
Haumea orbits the Sun at an average distance of 43 astronomical units (AU). 43 AU equals approximately 4 billion miles or 6.5 billion kilometers. Haumea’s elliptical orbit varies its distance from 35 AU at perihelion to 45 AU at aphelion. One AU represents Earth’s average distance from the Sun, measuring 93 million miles.
What is Haumea distance from Earth?
Dwarf planet 136108 Haumea’s distance from Earth was 28.2 Astronomical Units on January 1, 2020, at 00:00 UTC. 28.2 AU equals approximately 4.22 billion kilometers. Haumea’s eccentric orbit brings it as close as 28.2 AU and as far as 45.8 AU from the Sun. Haumea’s distance fluctuates due to its elliptical orbit.
Where is Haumea located?
Haumea is located in the Kuiper Belt, an icy region in the outer Solar System beyond Neptune’s orbit. The Kuiper Belt contains a cloud of rocky bodies and debris surrounding the Solar System. Haumea orbits approximately 28.2 astronomical units from the Sun. Astronomers classify Haumea as a dwarf planet and plutoid in this region.
Haumea’s distance from Earth varies. Haumea has a closest approach to Earth of 4,010,000,000 kilometers. Haumea reaches its farthest point from Earth at 6,452,000,000 kilometers. Haumea’s current celestial coordinates place it at a right ascension of 14 hours, 31 minutes, and 27 seconds, with a declination of +14° 48′ 02″. Observers in Greenwich, UK can see Haumea at an altitude of 4.79° above the horizon.
Astronomers discovered Haumea in 2004 using the Palomar Observatory in California, USA. Researchers have studied Haumea using various telescopes and spacecraft, including the Hubble Space Telescope and the New Horizons spacecraft. Haumea’s orbit is inclined, tilted at an angle of 85° with respect to the solar system’s plane.
How does Haumea compare to Earth?
Unlike Earth, Haumea is a dwarf planet.. Haumea’s diameter measures 1,960 kilometers, about 1/7th of Earth’s 12,742 kilometers. Haumea has a unique rugby-ball shape due to rapid rotation. Haumea’s mass is 1/140th of Earth’s. Haumea orbits the Sun in 284 Earth years, with temperatures around -233°C. Haumea possesses two moons.
Haumea’s shape contrasts with Earth’s spherical form. Haumea completes one rotation in just 3.9 hours, while Earth takes 24 hours for a single rotation.
Haumea orbits the Sun at a greater distance than Earth. Haumea maintains an average distance of 43 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun, compared to Earth’s 1 AU. Haumea’s orbit takes 285 Earth years to complete, in contrast to Earth’s single-year orbit.
Haumea’s composition differs from Earth’s makeup. Haumea consists primarily of rock covered in a layer of ice, unlike Earth’s composition of rocks, minerals, and metals. Haumea experiences extreme cold, with surface temperatures ranging from -233°C to -173°C, far below Earth’s average of 15°C.
Haumea’s gravity is weaker than Earth’s. Haumea has a surface gravity acceleration of 0.63 meters per second squared, compared to Earth’s 9.8 meters per second squared. Haumea’s unique characteristics offer valuable insights into the diversity of celestial bodies in our solar system.
How many moons does Haumea have?
Haumea has two known moons named Hiʻiaka and Namaka. Mike Brown’s team discovered both moons in 2005 using the Hubble Space Telescope and Keck Observatory. Hiʻiaka orbits at 49,500 km and completes its orbit in 49.5 days. Namaka orbits at 39,000 km with an 18-day period. Hawaiian mythology associates them as daughters of Haumea.
Why is Haumea oval shaped?
Haumea rotates extremely rapidly, completing one rotation in 3.9 hours. Fast rotation creates strong centrifugal forces, pushing Haumea’s equator outward. Centrifugal forces distort Haumea’s shape into an ellipsoid or football-like form. Rapid rotation stretches and flattens Haumea at the poles while bulging its equator, resulting in an oblate spheroid unlike other dwarf planets.
Haumea’s fast rotation distorts its shape into an oval form. The rapid spin creates centrifugal force, pushing out Haumea’s equatorial region and elongating it into an oblong, rugby ball-like shape. Haumea’s egg-shaped structure results from its inability to maintain a spherical equilibrium due to the extreme rotational speed.
Haumea’slongest axis measures approximately 1,960 kilometers, while its shortest axis measures around 1,518 kilometers. Haumea’s equator bulges outward due to centrifugal force, while its poles remain relatively flattened.
Haumea rotates at a speed of 1,000 kilometers per hour at its equator. This rapid spin stretches the object, causing it to take on its ellipsoidal form. Centrifugal force overcomes Haumea’s self-gravity, shaping its body into the distinctive oval shape.
Haumea has maintained its rapid spin since its formation 4.5 billion years ago. The dwarf planet’s elongated, ellipsoidal form has persisted for billions of years, making it one of the most unique objects in our solar system.
What color is Haumea?
Haumea’s surface exhibits primarily neutral gray and brown hues with a reddish tint. A thin icy coating covers the dwarf planet, giving it a gleaming appearance. A distinct dark red spot measuring 1,000 km in diameter features on Haumea’s surface. Tholins, complex organic molecules, cause the reddish coloration. Minerals create brightness variations.
What is the Haumea red spot?
Haumea’s dark red area is a distinctive feature on its icy surface. Organic compounds and minerals are theorized to compose this spot, giving it a reddish tint. The area reflects light uniquely. Tholins, complex organic compounds formed by ultraviolet exposure, cause the red coloration. Astronomers study this spot to understand Kuiper Belt objects’ geological history.
The dark red area could represent an impact feature or crater on Haumea’s mottled surface. Scientists consider the spot an organic-rich surface feature, made up of a mixture of minerals and organic compounds. The reddish coloration is likely caused by complex organic molecules called tholins. Tholins form when sunlight interacts with simple organic compounds, exhibiting a characteristic absorption spectrum in the infrared range with peak absorption at around 2.2 micrometers wavelength.
Haumea’s rapid rotation causes rotational deformation, leading to an ellipsoidal shape and unique distribution of surface features. The red spot is potentially formed through a process involving concentration of organic compounds and minerals due to this rotational deformation. Haumea’s equator bulges outward, which possibly contributed to the formation of this distinct surface feature.
Does Haumea have rings?
Dwarf planet Haumea has rings. Astronomers discovered Haumea’s ring system in 2017. Haumea’s rings measure 70 km (43.5 miles) wide and are located 2,287 km (1,421 miles) from its center. Haumea is the first known Kuiper Belt Object with rings. Haumea’s ring system consists of water ice and dark organic material.
Haumea has two known moons in addition to its rings. Hi’iaka, the larger moon, has a diameter of 310 kilometers. Namaka, the smaller moon, has a diameter of 170 kilometers. Both moons likely formed from debris ejected during a massive collision that shaped Haumea’s elongated form. Hi’iaka may contribute to the ring system by ejecting material into orbit around Haumea.
Does Haumea have an atmosphere?
Haumea possesses an extremely tenuous atmosphere. Researchers observed a surface pressure less than 50 billionths of Earth’s atmosphere. Observations were made using the Hubble Space Telescope and Keck Observatory. Scientists reported findings in Nature in 2017. Haumea’s atmosphere consists of frozen particles and gases, protecting its surface from extreme temperature fluctuations.
Haumea’s surface properties contribute to its lack of atmosphere. The surface is composed primarily of water ice mixed with darker organic material, giving it a reddish hue. Haumea reflects only about 6-8% of sunlight that hits it, resulting in a low albedo. Spectroscopic observations reveal water ice absorption features on Haumea’s surface.
Haumea’s composition and structure explain its atmospheric absence. The dwarf planet has a differentiated interior with a rocky core surrounded by a mantle of water ice. Haumea’s density is approximately 2.6-3.3 grams per cubic centimeter, lower than that of Pluto, indicating a higher ice content. The rigid, icy crust of Haumea prevents the release of gases that could form an atmosphere.
Haumea’s unique properties influence its atmospheric conditions. The dwarf planet has a rapid rotation period of just 3.9 hours, leading to a significant equatorial bulge and a rugby-ball-like shape. Haumea’s longest axis is 1,960 kilometers in length, while its shortest axis is approximately 1,518 kilometers. The unusual shape and rapid rotation contribute to the inability to retain an atmosphere.
How cold is Haumea?
Haumea’s surface temperature is extremely cold, averaging 32 K (-241°C or -396°F). Haumea’s rotational period is approximately 3.9 Earth days, relatively fast for a dwarf planet. Haumea’s icy composition and distance from the Sun contribute to its frigid conditions. Scientists determined Haumea’s temperature using thermal emission models and Spitzer Space Telescope observations.
Haumea’s subsurface is estimated to be warmer at around -50°C. The interior warmth is attributed to the decay of radioactive elements, providing a steady source of heat. Haumea’s extreme surface temperatures and warmer subsurface create a unique thermal environment.
Who discovered Haumea?
Mike Brown of Caltech led the team that discovered Haumea in 2004. The discovery was made at Palomar Observatory using a 1.2-meter Schmidt telescope. Key team members included Chad Trujillo, David Rabinowitz, and Kristina M. Barkume. The team formally announced the discovery in 2005. Haumea is a dwarf planet located beyond Neptune’s orbit.
American astronomers at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory observed Haumea in 2004. Haumea has a highly eccentric orbit, taking it as close as 28.2 astronomical units and as far as 45.8 astronomical units from the Sun. Haumea completes one orbit around the Sun in 284 Earth years. Astronomers initially thought Haumea was the ninth planet in our solar system. The International Astronomical Union reclassified Haumea as a dwarf planet in 2006.
What is Haumea made of?
Haumea consists of rock and ice, much like Pluto. Astronomers think it’s made of half rock and half ice by volume. Rock constitutes 70% of Haumea’s mass, while ice accounts for 30%. Haumea’s surface features a thick ice coating 100-200 km deep. A dense rocky core resides at its center.
Haumea’s interior consists of a high-density rocky core. The core is estimated to have a diameter of 1,960 kilometers and makes up 70% of Haumea’s total mass. Silicate minerals form the bulk of the rocky interior, with a density ranging from 2.8 to 3.3 g/cm³.
Haumea’s ice components include a substantial water ice coating. The ice layer has a thickness of 800-1000 kilometers, enveloping the rocky core. A thin crust of crystalline ice, 20-30 kilometers thick, covers the surface of Haumea.
Haumea’s surface composition is dominated by water ice. Spectral analysis reveals that 66-80% of the surface consists of crystalline water ice. The remaining surface material likely includes darker organic compounds and possibly other ices or minerals.
What is the orbit of Haumea?
Haumea orbits the Sun in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune. One orbit takes 284 Earth years. Haumea’s orbit has high eccentricity, ranging from 28 to 45 astronomical units from the Sun. Haumea rotates every 4 hours, making it one of the fastest rotating large celestial objects in the solar system.
What is the surface of Haumea?
Haumea’s surface consists of water ice mixed with darker organic compounds. Crystalline ice covers the surface in a thin layer, giving it a bright, reflective appearance. Tholins, tiny rocky minerals, may be present. Water ice comprises about half the surface composition, with darker material making up the other half. The surface appears young and unweathered, showing few craters or geological features.
Haumea’s surface lacks methane and ammonia ices, unlike other surfaces in the Kuiper Belt. The surface features a dark red spot, believed to be an impact crater filled with darker material. Haumea appears to have a highly reflective surface with an albedo of around 0.7, higher than most other Kuiper Belt Objects. The high albedo suggests Haumea’s surface is relatively young and has not been heavily weathered by solar radiation and cosmic rays.
Haumea has an eccentric orbit, taking it as close as 28 astronomical units from the Sun and as far as 45 astronomical units. The surface temperature of Haumea ranges from 30 K (-243°C) at its farthest point to 200 K (-73°C) at its closest point. Haumea lasts approximately 284 Earth days to complete one rotation on its axis. Haumea reaches a maximum distance of around 1,960 kilometers from its center to its equator. Haumea rotates on its axis in a highly eccentric manner, causing its equatorial bulge to be highly pronounced.
What is the mass of Haumea?
Haumea’s mass is approximately 4.006 × 10^21 kilograms. Ragozzine et al. (2009) estimated this mass using orbital perturbations of Haumea’s moons. Mass estimation has a 3% uncertainty. Haumea ranks among the largest trans-Neptunian objects. Mass is comparable to Makemake (3.3 × 10^21 kg) and Quaoar (1.4 × 10^21 kg).
Haumea’s mass equals about one-third the mass of Pluto. Haumea’s mass is equivalent to approximately 0.00066 Earth masses. Another estimate puts Haumea’s mass at 0.00070 Earth masses. Haumea orbits the Sun at an average distance of about 28.2 astronomical units, taking nearly three centuries to complete one orbit.
Haumea is one of the largest known trans-Neptunian objects. Eris, Pluto, Makemake, and 2007 OR10 are larger than Haumea. Haumea is larger than Sedna, Quaoar, and Orcus. Haumea has enough mass for its own gravity to pull it into anellipsoidal shape, placing it in hydrostatic equilibrium.
