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Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Makemake of the Outer Solar System
NASA ^ | December 26, 2012 | (see photo credit)

Posted on 12/26/2012 3:49:45 AM PST by SunkenCiv

Explanation: Makemake is one of the largest objects known in the outer Solar System. Pronounced MAH-kay MAH-kay, this Kuiper belt object is about two-thirds the size of Pluto, orbits the Sun only slightly further out than Pluto, and appears only slightly dimmer than Pluto. Makemake, however, has an orbit much more tilted to the ecliptic plane of the planets than Pluto. Discovered by a team led by Mike Brown (Caltech) in 2005, the outer Solar System orb was officially named Makemake for the creator of humanity in the Rapa Nui mythology of Easter Island. In 2008, Makemake was classified as a dwarf planet under the subcategory plutoid, making Makemake the third cataloged plutoid after Pluto and Eris. Makemake is known to be a world somewhat red in appearance, with colors indicating it is likely covered with patchy areas of frozen methane. No images of Makemake's surface yet exist, but an artist's illustration of the distant world is shown above. Careful monitoring of the brightness drop of a distant star recently eclipsed by Makemake indicates that the dwarf planet has little atmosphere.

December 26, 2012

(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; astronomy; makemake; science
[Illustration Credit: European Southern Observatory]

1 posted on 12/26/2012 3:50:00 AM PST by SunkenCiv
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To: brytlea; cripplecreek; decimon; bigheadfred; KoRn; Grammy; married21; steelyourfaith; Mmogamer; ...
Note: this one is an artist's conception.

2 posted on 12/26/2012 3:51:05 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Romney would have been worse, if you're a dumb ass.)
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To: SunkenCiv

MMmmmmmmmm... Mahi-Mahi!

Oooops....never mind.


3 posted on 12/26/2012 5:07:16 AM PST by left that other site (Worry is the Darkroom that Develops Negatives.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Makemake nicenice now...


4 posted on 12/26/2012 7:00:58 AM PST by mikrofon (OK OK)
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To: mikrofon

Makemake nicenice now...nannynannyfoofoo...


5 posted on 12/26/2012 11:44:53 AM PST by bigheadfred
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To: left that other site; mikrofon; bigheadfred
"I'm half Jewish, half Japanese. I was circumcised at Benihana."

Rodney Dangerfield

6 posted on 12/26/2012 8:07:26 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Romney would have been worse, if you're a dumb ass.)
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Mike Brown Appearances
http://www.gps.caltech.edu/~mbrown/appearances.html


7 posted on 12/26/2012 8:08:25 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Romney would have been worse, if you're a dumb ass.)
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To: SunkenCiv

The Ginzu Mohel?


8 posted on 12/26/2012 8:24:25 PM PST by left that other site (Worry is the Darkroom that Develops Negatives.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Can we send Bronco there with all his destructive commie cronies? If they want cold and desolate, let’s give it to them.


9 posted on 12/27/2012 9:50:53 AM PST by TheOldLady
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