Makemake is a word that is often misspelled due to its unique pronunciation. The correct spelling of this word is /ˈmɑkɛˌmɑkɛ/. The first 'a' is pronounced like the 'a' in 'father' while the 'e' in 'make' is pronounced like the 'e' in 'bet'. The second 'a' and 'e' are pronounced with an 'ah' sound, like in the word 'car'. The final 'e' is silent. Makemake is also the name of a dwarf planet in our solar system, named after the Polynesian god of fertility and creator of humanity.
Makemake, pronounced as "MAH-kay MAH-kay," is a celestial body located in the outer region of the solar system. It is classified as a dwarf planet, similar to Pluto, and is part of the trans-Neptunian object (TNO) population, residing in the Kuiper Belt. Makemake is named after the creator deity of the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island.
As a dwarf planet, Makemake has certain characteristics defining its nature and classification. It has sufficient mass to give it a nearly round shape but is not dominant enough to clear its orbit of debris. With a diameter of approximately 1,430 kilometers (890 miles), it is one of the largest known TNOs. Makemake's surface is composed of a mixture of ices such as methane, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide, along with tholins, resulting in a reddish color.
The discovery of Makemake was officially announced in July 2005 by a team of astronomers led by Mike Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David Rabinowitz. It was initially identified through observations made in November 2004 using the Palomar Observatory in California.
Studying Makemake provides valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the solar system, especially the outer regions. Astronomers and researchers continue to explore and study this dwarf planet, gathering information to expand our knowledge of the universe and its celestial bodies.
The word "Makemake" originates from the Rapa Nui language, which is the indigenous language of Easter Island. It is derived from two elements: "Makea", meaning "spirit, god", and "make", meaning "eye". The combination of these two words creates "Makemake", which refers to the creator deity or the god of fertility in the Rapa Nui mythology. Additionally, Makemake is the name of the dwarf planet discovered in 2005, as it was named after the Rapa Nui deity.