These earthly godfathers of Heaven's lights, that give a name to every fixed star, have no more profit of their shining nights than those that walk and know not what they are.

— William Shakespeare

New Dwarf Planet

By Kevin at Tue, 07/15/2008 - 11:44am

The IAU has designated "Makemake" a dwarf planet, with Ceres, Eris and Pluto, that brings the total to
four. Makemake (pronounced MAH-kay MAH-kay) is named for the Easter Island creator of humanity.

Its distance is currently 52 AU, year is 310 years and inclination is 29 degrees. This is very Pluto-like and so Makemake is also a Plutoid.

I guess we need a new Solar System mnemonic: 

My Very Educated Mother Could Just Serve Us Nine Pizzas -- Excellent Man!

Who's next?

Submitted by kuky
on Tue, 07/15/2008 - 2:02pm

http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/append7.html#DwarfPlanets