Aster › Space program › Makemake
Makemake
Position on the route: 31/45 · level needed 380 · journey (Mk0 engine) 64.6 h
By the numbers
| Diameter | ≈ 1,430 km |
|---|---|
| Year | 306 Earth years |
| Surface | methane, ethane and nitrogen ices |
| Moons | 1 (MK2) |
The story
One of the brightest objects of the Kuiper Belt; its surface is coated in methane and ethane ice, slightly red. It is named for the fertility god of the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island, and was found around Easter 2005.
In 2015 Hubble found a moon (MK2). Its orbit gave a mass for Makemake, and a density close to Pluto’s.
Missions
- Stellar occultations (2011): no atmosphere, and its size measured
Colony note
Extremely cold; methane and ice aplenty. A far frontier outpost.
What probes bring back
- Methane, ethane and nitrogen ices on the surface; reddish.
- A small moon was found in 2015 (MK2).