Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 20:39, 19 November 2014

Makemake

Makemake as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope
Discovery
Discovered by	Michael E. Brown Chad Trujillo David Rabinowitz
Discovery date	March 31, 2005
Designations
Designation	(136,472) Makemake
Pronunciation	/ˌmɑːkiːˈmɑːkiː/ or /ˌmɑːkeɪˈmɑːkeɪ/
Named after	Makemake
Alternative names	2005 FY9
Minor planet category	Dwarf planet, TNO (cubewano)
Adjectives	Makemakean
Orbital characteristics
Epoch January 28, 1955 (JD 2 435 135.5)
Aphelion	53.074 AU 7.939 Tm
Perihelion	38.509 AU 5.760 Tm
Semi-major axis	45.791 AU 6.850 Tm
Eccentricity	0.159
Orbital period (sidereal)	309.88 yr (113,183 d)
Average orbital speed	4.419 km/s
Mean anomaly	85.13°
Inclination	28.96°
Longitude of ascending node	79.382°
Argument of perihelion	298.41°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions	(1434 × 1422) ± 14 (1502±45) × (1430±9) km
Mean radius	715±7 km 739±17 km 710±30 km
Flattening	0.05
Surface area	≈ 6,900,000 km
Volume	≈ 1.7×10 km
Mass	unknown
Mean density	1.4–3.2 g/cm
Sidereal rotation period	7.771±0.003 h
Axial tilt	unknown
Albedo	0.81+0.01 −0.02
Temperature	32–36 K (single-terrain model) 40–44 K (two-terrain model)
Spectral type	B-V=0.83, V-R=0.5
Apparent magnitude	16.7 (opposition)
Absolute magnitude (H)	−0.44±0.42

Makemake (minor-planet designation 136472 Makemake) is a dwarf planet and perhaps the largest Kuiper belt object (KBO) in the classical population, with a diameter that is about 2/3 the size of Pluto. Makemake has no known satellites, which makes it unique among the largest KBOs and means that its mass can only be estimated. Its extremely low average temperature, about 30 K (−243.2 °C), means its surface is covered with methane, ethane, and possibly nitrogen ices.

Initially known as 2005 FY₉ and later given the minor-planet number 136472, it was discovered on March 31, 2005, by a team led by Michael Brown, and announced on July 29, 2005. Makemake was recognized as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in July 2008. Its name derives from Makemake in the mythology of the Rapanui people of Easter Island.

Discovery

Makemake was discovered on March 31, 2005, by a team at the Palomar Observatory, led by Michael Brown, and was announced to the public on July 29, 2005. The team had planned to delay announcing their discoveries of the bright objects Makemake and Eris until further observations and calculations were complete, but announced them both on July 29 when the discovery of another large object they had been tracking, Haumea, was controversially announced on July 27 by a different team in Spain.

Despite its relative brightness (it is about a fifth as bright as Pluto), Makemake was not discovered until well after many much fainter Kuiper belt objects. Most searches for minor planets are conducted relatively close to the ecliptic (the region of the sky that the Sun, Moon and planets appear to lie in, as seen from Earth), due to the greater likelihood of finding objects there. It probably escaped detection during the earlier surveys due to its relatively high orbital inclination, and the fact that it was at its farthest distance from the ecliptic at the time of its discovery, in the northern constellation of Coma Berenices.

Besides Pluto, Makemake is the only other dwarf planet that was bright enough for Clyde Tombaugh to have possibly detected during his search for trans-Neptunian planets around 1930. At the time of Tombaugh's survey, Makemake was only a few degrees from the ecliptic, near the border of Taurus and Auriga, at an apparent magnitude of 16.0. This position, however, was also very near the Milky Way, and Makemake would have been almost impossible to find against the dense background of stars. Tombaugh continued searching for some years after the discovery of Pluto, but he failed to find Makemake or any other trans-Neptunian objects.

Name

The provisional designation 2005 FY₉ was given to Makemake when the discovery was made public. Before that, the discovery team used the codename "Easterbunny" for the object, because of its discovery shortly after Easter.

In July 2008, in accordance with IAU rules for classical Kuiper belt objects, 2005 FY₉ was given the name of a creator deity. The name of Makemake, the creator of humanity and god of fertility in the mythos of the Rapanui, the native people of Easter Island, was chosen in part to preserve the object's connection with Easter.t lauiourpopeiruopu opiuer oi oeu eowhcojtvj aowuetvtj vwpo v Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page without content in them (see the help page).

Orbit and classification

Makemake is currently 52.3 AU (7.82×10 km) from the Sun, almost as far from the Sun as it ever reaches on its orbit. Makemake follows an orbit very similar to that of Haumea: highly inclined at 29° and a moderate eccentricity of about 0.16. Nevertheless, Makemake's orbit is slightly farther from the Sun in terms of both the semi-major axis and perihelion. Its orbital period is nearly 310 years, more than Pluto's 248 years and Haumea's 283 years. Both Makemake and Haumea are currently far from the ecliptic—the angular distance is almost 29°. Makemake is approaching its 2033 aphelion, while Haumea passed its aphelion in early 1992.

Makemake is a classical Kuiper belt object, which means its orbit lies far enough from Neptune to remain stable over the age of the Solar System. Unlike plutinos, which can cross Neptune's orbit due to their 2:3 resonance with the planet, the classical objects have perihelia further from the Sun, free from Neptune's perturbation. Such objects have relatively low eccentricities (e below 0.2) and orbit the Sun in much the same way the planets do. Makemake, however, is a member of the "dynamically hot" class of classical KBOs, meaning that it has a high inclination compared to others in its population. Makemake is, probably coincidentally, near the 11:6 resonance with Neptune.

Physical characteristics

Brightness, size, and rotation

Makemake is currently visually the second-brightest Kuiper belt object after Pluto, having a March opposition apparent magnitude of 16.7 in the constellation Coma Berenices. This is bright enough to be visible using a high-end amateur telescope. Combining the detection in infrared by the Spitzer Space Telescope and Herschel Space Telescope with the similarities of spectrum with Pluto yielded an estimated diameter from 1,360 to 1,480 km. From the 2011 stellar occultation by Makemake, its diameter has been measured to be (1502 ± 45) × (1430 ± 9) km. This is slightly larger than Haumea, making Makemake likely the third largest known trans-Neptunian object after Eris and Pluto. Makemake was the fourth dwarf planet recognized, as it has a bright V-band absolute magnitude of −0.44 that practically guarantees it is large enough to achieve hydrostatic equilibrium.

Makemake's high geometrical albedo of 77 percent suggests an average surface temperature of about 32–36 K.

Spectra and surface

In a letter written to the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics in 2006, Licandro et al. reported the measurements of the visible and near-infrared spectrum of Makemake. They used the William Herschel Telescope and Telescopio Nazionale Galileo and showed that the surface of Makemake resembles that of Pluto. Like Pluto, Makemake appears red in the visible spectrum, and significantly redder than the surface of Eris (see colour comparison of TNOs). The near-infrared spectrum is marked by the presence of the broad methane (CH₄) absorption bands. Methane is observed also on Pluto and Eris, but its spectral signature is much weaker.

Spectral analysis of Makemake's surface revealed that methane must be present in the form of large grains at least one centimetre in size. In addition, large amounts of ethane and tholins may be present as well, most likely created by photolysis of methane by solar radiation. The tholins are probably responsible for the red color of the visible spectrum. Although evidence exists for the presence of nitrogen ice on its surface, at least mixed with other ices, there is nowhere near the same level of nitrogen as on Pluto and Triton, where it composes more than 98 percent of the crust. The relative lack of nitrogen ice suggests that its supply of nitrogen has somehow been depleted over the age of the Solar System.

The far-infrared (24–70 μm) and submillimeter (70–500 μm) photometry performed by Spitzer and Herschel telescopes revealed that the surface of Makemake is not homogeneous. While the majority of it is covered by nitrogen and methane ices, where the albedo ranges from 78 to 90%, there are small patches of dark terrain whose albedo is only 2 to 12%, and which make up 3–7% of the surface.

Atmosphere

Makemake was expected to have an atmosphere similar to that of Pluto but with a lower surface pressure. However, on 23 April 2011 astronomers had an opportunity to analyze its atmosphere as it passed in front of an 18th-magnitude star and abruptly blocked its light. The results showed that Makemake presently lacks a substantial atmosphere and placed an upper limit of 4–12 nanobar for the pressure at its surface.

The presence of methane and possibly nitrogen suggests that Makemake could have a transient atmosphere similar to that of Pluto near its perihelion. Nitrogen, if present, will be the dominant component of it. The existence of an atmosphere also provides a natural explanation for the nitrogen depletion: because the gravity of Makemake is weaker than that of Pluto, Eris and Triton, a large amount of nitrogen was probably lost via atmospheric escape; methane is lighter than nitrogen, but has significantly lower vapor pressure at temperatures prevalent at the surface of Makemake (32–36 K), which hinders its escape; the result of this process is a higher relative abundance of methane.

Lack of satellites

No satellites have been detected around Makemake so far. A satellite having a brightness 1% of that of the primary would have been detected if it had been at the distance 0.4 arcseconds or further from Makemake. This contrasts with other large trans-Neptunian objects, most of which have at least one satellite: Eris has one, Haumea has two and Pluto has five, though 2007 OR₁₀ also has no known satellites. 10% to 20% of all trans-Neptunian objects are expected to have one or more satellites. Because satellites offer a simple method to measure an object's mass, the lack of a satellite makes obtaining an accurate figure for Makemake's mass more difficult.

See also

Template:Misplaced Pages books

• Astronomical naming conventions
• Clearing the neighbourhood
• International Astronomical Union
• Planets beyond Neptune

Notes

1. The Rapa Nui pronunciation is [ˈmakeˈmake], which is approximated in English as US: /ˌmɑːkiːˈmɑːkiː/ MAH-kee-MAH-kee, UK: /ˈmækiːˈmækiː/ MAK-ee-MAK-ee, or as /ˌmɑːkeɪˈmɑːkeɪ/ MAH-kay-MAH-kay. The first is an anglicized pronunciation; the second is more Polynesian, and is used by Brown and his students.
2. ^ Astronomers Mike Brown, David Jewitt and Marc Buie classify Makemake as a near scattered object but the Minor Planet Center, from which Misplaced Pages draws most of its definitions for the trans-Neptunian population, places it among the main Kuiper belt population.
3. It has an apparent magnitude in opposition of 16.7 vs. 15 for Pluto.
4. Based on Minor Planet Center online Minor Planet Ephemeris Service: March 1, 1930: RA: 05h51m, Dec: +29.0.

References

1. ^ Brown, Mike (2008). "Mike Brown's Planets: What's in a name? (part 2)". California Institute of Technology. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
2. Brown, Mike (2008). "Mike Brown's Planets: Make-make". California Institute of Technology. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
3. Robert D. Craig (2004). Handbook of Polynesian Mythology. ABC-CLIO. p. 63. ISBN 978-1-57607-894-5.
4. Podcast Dwarf Planet Haumea (Darin Ragozzine, at 3′11″)
5. ^ "MPEC 2009-P26 :Distant Minor Planets (2009 AUG. 17.0 TT)". IAU Minor Planet Center. 2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
6. ^ Marc W. Buie (2008-04-05). "Orbit Fit and Astrometric record for 136472". SwRI (Space Science Department). Retrieved 2008-07-13.
7. ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 136472 (2005 FY₉)". NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 2010-01-26 last obs. Retrieved 2008-06-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
8. ^ M.E. Brown, 2013, "On the size, shape, and density of dwarf planet Makemake"
9. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1038/nature11597, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1038/nature11597 instead. (ESO 21 November 2012 press release: Dwarf Planet Makemake Lacks Atmosphere)
10. ^ T.L. Lim, J. Stansberry, T.G. Müller (2010). ""TNOs are Cool": A survey of the trans-Neptunian region III. Thermophysical properties of 90482 Orcus and 136472 Makemake". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 518: L148. Bibcode:2010A&A...518L.148L. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201014701.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
11. A. N. Heinze and Daniel deLahunta, The rotation period and light-curve amplitude of Kuiper belt dwarf planet 136472 Makemake (2005 FY₉), The Astronomical Journal 138 (2009), pp. 428–438. doi:10.1088/0004-6256/138/2/428
12. Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/200913031 , please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi= 10.1051/0004-6361/200913031 instead.
13. ^ "AstDys (136472) Makemake Ephemerides". Department of Mathematics, University of Pisa, Italy. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
14. ^ "Asteroid 136472 Makemake (2005 FY9)". HORIZONS Web-Interface. JPL Solar System Dynamics. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
15. ^ Mike Brown, K. M. Barksume, G. L. Blake, E. L. Schaller, D. L. Rabinowitz, H. G. Roe and C. A. Trujillo (2007). "Methane and Ethane on the Bright Kuiper Belt Object 2005 FY₉". The Astronomical Journal. 133 (1): 284–289. Bibcode:2007AJ....133..284B. doi:10.1086/509734.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
16. Audrey Delsanti, David Jewitt. "The Solar System Beyond The Planets" (PDF). University of Hawaii. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
17. "List Of Transneptunian Objects". Minor Planet Center. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
18. ^ International Astronomical Union (2008-07-19). "Fourth dwarf planet named Makemake" (Press release). International Astronomical Union (News Release – IAU0806). Retrieved 2008-07-20.
19. Michael E. Brown. "The Dwarf Planets". California Institute of Technology, Department of Geological Sciences. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
20. ^ "Dwarf Planets and their Systems". Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature (WGPSN). U.S. Geological Survey. 2008-11-07. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
21. Gonzalo Tancredi, Sofia Favre (June 2008). "Which are the dwarfs in the Solar System?" (PDF). Icarus. 195 (2): 851–862. Bibcode:2008Icar..195..851T. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2007.12.020. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
22. Thomas H. Maugh II and John Johnson Jr. (2005-10-16). "His Stellar Discovery Is Eclipsed". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
23. David L. Rabinowitz, Bradley E. Schaefer, Suzanne W. Tourtellotte (2007). "The Diverse Solar Phase Curves of Distant Icy Bodies. I. Photometric Observations of 18 Trans-Neptunian Objects, 7 Centaurs, and Nereid". The Astronomical Journal. 133 (1): 26–43. arXiv:astro-ph/0605745. Bibcode:2007AJ....133...26R. doi:10.1086/508931.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
24. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi: 10.1086/501524 , please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi= 10.1086/501524 instead.
25. "Clyde W. Tombaugh". New Mexico Museum of Space History. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
26. "Makemake Becomes the Newest Dwarf Planet". Slashdot. July 13, 2008. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
27. ^ S. C. Tegler, W. M. Grundy, W. Romanishin, G. J. Consolmagno, K. Mogren, F. Vilas (2007-01-08). "Optical Spectroscopy of the Large Kuiper Belt Objects 136472 (2005 FY₉) and 136108 (2003 EL₆₁)". The Astronomical Journal. 133 (2): 526–530. arXiv:astro-ph/0611135. Bibcode:2007AJ....133..526T. doi:10.1086/510134.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
28. "Asteroid 136108 (2003 EL61)". HORIZONS Web-Interface. JPL Solar System Dynamics. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
29. ^ David Jewitt (February 2000). "Classical Kuiper Belt Objects (CKBOs)". University of Hawaii. Archived from the original on August 5, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
30. Jane X. Luu and David C. Jewitt (2002). "Kuiper Belt Objects: Relics from the Accretion Disk of the Sun" (PDF). Ann. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 40 (1): 63–101. Bibcode:2002ARA&A..40...63L. doi:10.1146/annurev.astro.40.060401.093818. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
31. Levison, H. F.; Morbidelli, A. (2003-11-27). "The formation of the Kuiper belt by the outward transport of bodies during Neptune's migration". Nature. 426 (6965): 419–421. Bibcode:2003Natur.426..419L. doi:10.1038/nature02120. PMID 14647375. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
32. Preliminary simulation of Makemake (2005 FY₉)'s orbit and the 2009-02-04 nominal (non-librating) rotating frame for Makemake. See (182294) 2001 KU76 for a proper 11:6 resonance libration.
33. J. Stansberry; W. Grundy; M. Brown; Cruikshank, D.; Spencer, J.; Trilling, D.; Margot, J.-L. (2008). "Physical Properties of Kuiper Belt and Centaur Objects: Constraints from Spitzer Space Telescope". The Solar System beyond Neptune. University of Arizona Press: 161. arXiv:astro-ph/0702538. Bibcode:2008ssbn.book..161S.
34. ^ J. Licandro, N. Pinilla-Alonso, M. Pedani, E. Oliva, G. P. Tozzi, W. M. Grundy (2006). "The methane ice rich surface of large TNO 2005 FY₉: a Pluto-twin in the trans-neptunian belt?". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 445 (3): L35–L38. Bibcode:2006A&A...445L..35L. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:200500219.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
35. S.C. Tegler, W.M. Grundy, F. Vilas, W. Romanishin, D.M. Cornelison and G.J. Consolmagno (June 2008). "Evidence of N2-ice on the surface of the icy dwarf Planet 136472 (2005 FY9)". Icarus. 195 (2): 844–850. arXiv:0801.3115. Bibcode:2008Icar..195..844T. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2007.12.015.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
36. Tobias C. Owen; Ted L. Roush; et al. (1993-08-06). "Surface Ices and the Atmospheric Composition of Pluto". Science. 261 (5122): 745–748. Bibcode:1993Sci...261..745O. doi:10.1126/science.261.5122.745. PMID 17757212. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |author-separator= ignored (help)
37. E.L. Schaller, M.E. Brown (2007-04-10). "Volatile Loss and Retention on Kuiper Belt Objects". The Astrophysical Journal. 659 (1): L61–L64. Bibcode:2007ApJ...659L..61S. doi:10.1086/516709.
38. "Dwarf Planet Makemake Lacks Atmosphere". ESO Press Release. Retrieved 23 November 2012.

External links

• MPEC listing for Makemake
• AstDys orbital elements
• Orbital simulation from JPL (Java) / Ephemeris
• Press release from WHT and TNG on Makemake's similarity to Pluto.
• Makemake chart and Orbit Viewer
• Precovery image with the 1.06 m Kleť Observatory telescope on April 20, 2003
• Makemake as seen on 2010-02-18 UT with the Keck 1
• Makemake of the Outer Solar System APOD July 15, 2008
• Simulation of Makemake (2005 FY₉)'s orbit
• Dwarf Planet Makemake Lacks Atmosphere (ESO : 21 November 2012)

v t e Dwarf planets
List of possible dwarf planets Former dwarf planets Phoebe Triton Vesta Pallas Mesoplanet Planemo
Consensus	Ceres Geology Atmosphere Orcus Moon Pluto Geology Atmosphere Moons Haumea Moons Ring Makemake Moon Quaoar Moon Rings Eris Moon Gonggong Moon Sedna
Candidate	Asteroids Hygiea Interamnia Centaurs Chariklo Chiron Pholus 1999 OX3 2013 TC146 2014 NW65 Plutinos Huya Ixion 2001 QF298 2002 VR128 2002 XV93 2003 AZ84 2003 UZ413 2003 VS2 2007 JH43 2017 OF69 Twotinos 2002 WC19 Cubewanos Chaos Salacia Varda Varuna 1998 SN165 2002 AW197 2002 CY248 2002 KX14 2002 MS4 2002 UX25 2003 QW90 2004 GV9 2004 NT33 2004 PF115 2004 TY364 2004 UX10 2005 RN43 2005 UQ513 2010 FX86 Other KBOs 1999 CD158 1999 DE9 2000 YW134 2002 XW93 2010 JO179 2010 VK201 2011 FW62 2011 GM27 2013 FZ27 2014 UM33 2015 AM281 2015 RR245 Scattered disc objects Gǃkúnǁʼhòmdímà Dziewanna 1996 GQ21 1996 TL66 2001 UR163 2002 TC302 2004 XA192 2005 QU182 2005 RM43 2006 QH181 2008 OG19 2010 KZ39 2010 RE64 2010 RF43 2010 JO179 2010 TJ 2010 VZ98 2013 FY27 2014 AN55 2014 EZ51 2014 UZ224 2014 WK509 2015 KH162 2015 RR245 2017 FO161 2018 AG37 2018 VG18 2021 DR15 2021 LL37 Detached objects 2003 FY128 2003 QX113 2004 XR190 2005 TB190 2007 JJ43 2008 ST291 Sednoids 2012 VP113
Category

v t e Solar System
Sun Mercury Venus Earth Mars Ceres Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Orcus Pluto Haumea Quaoar Makemake Gonggong Eris Sedna
Planets, dwarfs Terrestrials Mercury Venus Earth Mars Giants Gas Jupiter Saturn Ice Uranus Neptune Dwarfs Ceres Orcus Pluto Haumea Quaoar Makemake Gonggong Eris Sedna Moons Earth Moon other near-Earth objects Mars Phobos Deimos Jupiter Ganymede Callisto Io Europa all 95 Saturn Titan Rhea Iapetus Dione Tethys Enceladus Mimas Hyperion Phoebe all 146 Uranus Titania Oberon Umbriel Ariel Miranda all 28 Neptune Triton Proteus Nereid all 16 Orcus Vanth Pluto Charon Nix Hydra Kerberos Styx Haumea Hiʻiaka Namaka Quaoar Weywot Makemake S/2015 (136472) 1 Gonggong Xiangliu Eris Dysnomia Rings Earth? Jovian Saturnian (Rhean?) Charikloan Chironean Uranian Neptunian Haumean Quaoarian Small Solar System bodies Comets Damocloids Meteoroids Minor planets names and meanings moons Planetesimal Planetary orbit-crossing minor planets Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Trojans Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Trojan camp Greek camp Saturn Moons Uranus Neptune Near-Earth objects Asteroid belt Asteroids Ceres Vesta Pallas Hygiea active first 1000 families PHA exceptional Kirkwood gap Centaurs Neptune trojans Trans-Neptunian objects Kuiper belt Cubewanos Plutinos Detached objects Sednoids Scattered disc Oort cloud Hills cloud Hypothetical objects Fifth Giant Nemesis Phaeton Planet Nine Planet V Planet X Subsatellites Theia Tyche Vulcan Vulcanoids Exploration (outline) Colonization Discovery astronomy historical models timeline Space probes timeline list Human spaceflight space stations list programs Mercury Venus Moon mining Mars Ceres Asteroids mining Comets Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto Deep space Formation, evolution Star formation Accretion Accretion disk Excretion disk Circumplanetary disk Circumstellar disc Circumstellar envelope Coatlicue Cosmic dust Debris disk Detached object EXCEDE Exozodiacal dust Extraterrestrial materials Sample curation Sample-return mission Frost/Ice/Snow line Giant-impact hypothesis Grand tack hypothesis Gravitational collapse Hills cloud Hill sphere Interplanetary dust cloud Interplanetary medium/space Interstellar cloud Interstellar medium Interstellar space Kuiper belt Kuiper cliff Molecular cloud Nebular hypothesis Nice model Five-planet Nice model Oort cloud Outer space Planet Disrupted Migration System Planetesimal Formation Merging stars Protoplanetary disk Ring system Roche limit vs. Hill sphere Rubble pile Scattered disc Lists Comets Possible dwarf planets Gravitationally rounded objects Minor planets Natural satellites Solar System models Solar System objects by size by discovery date Interstellar and circumstellar molecules Related Double planet Lagrange point Moonlet Syzygy Tidal locking
Outline of the Solar System Solar System portal Astronomy portal Earth sciences portal Solar System → Local Interstellar Cloud → Local Bubble → Gould Belt → Orion Arm → Milky Way → Milky Way subgroup → Local Group → Local Sheet → Virgo Supercluster → Laniakea Supercluster → Local Hole → Observable universe → Universe Each arrow (→) may be read as "within" or "part of".

Template:Link GA

• Plutoids
• Astronomical objects discovered in 2005
• Classical Kuiper belt objects
• Discoveries by Chad Trujillo
• Discoveries by David L. Rabinowitz
• Discoveries by Michael E. Brown
• Astronomical bodies with possible subsurface oceans