Beyond the familiar orbits of our solar system's planets lies a mysterious realm of icy bodies known as the Kuiper Belt. Among these celestial wanderers is Makemake, a dwarf planet shrouded in an aura of intrigue. With its reddish hue, distant orbit, and enigmatic nature, Makemake has captivated the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. Let’s embark on a journey to explore this distant world and uncover its secrets. Discovery and Naming Makemake, a dwarf planet residing in the frigid expanse of the Kuiper Belt, was discovered on March 31, 2005, by a team led by Michael E. Brown at the Palomar Observatory in California. Initially nicknamed "Easterbunny" due to its discovery around Easter, it was later formally named after the Rapa Nui creation deity. This name reflects the object's position in the sky during its discovery. Composition and Characteristics Makemake, a substantial object with a diameter roughly two-thirds that of Pluto, is primarily compos...
“The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can't imagine”