136108 Haumea
Alternative name: Also known as: 2003 EL61
Dimensions:1960 × 1518 × 996
Table of Contents
Physical Properties
- Mean Radius
- 0km
- Equatorial Radius
- 0km
- Polar Radius
- 498km
- Mass
- 4.01e+21 kg
- Volume
- 2.40e+9 km³
- Density
- 2.6g/cm³
- Gravity
- 0.401m/s²
- Escape Velocity
- 809m/s
- Flattening
- 0.61
- Average Temperature
- 50.0 K (-223.1 °C)
- Axial Tilt
- 0°
- Semimajor Axis
- 6.43e+9km
- Perihelion
- 5.16e+9km
- Aphelion
- 7.71e+9km
- Eccentricity
- 0.191
- Inclination
- 28.19°
- Sidereal Orbit
- 1.20 days
- Sidereal Rotation
- 0.00 hours
- Mean Anomaly
- 218.205°
- Argument of Periapsis
- 239.041°
- Longitude of Ascending Node
- 122.167°
Overview of 136108 Haumea
136108 Haumea is a fascinating dwarf planet in our Solar System that has captured the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. Positioned at an average distance of 6.43e+9 km (42.995 AU) from the Sun, 136108 Haumea occupies a significant place in the Solar System's architecture.
Physical Characteristics
The 136108 Haumea physical characteristics reveal a world of remarkable dimensions and properties. The 136108 Haumea mass of 4.01e+21 kg represents 1490.8× smaller than Earth's mass, giving this world substantial gravitational influence. With a volume of 2.40e+9 km³, 136108 Haumea occupies significant space in the Solar System. The 136108 Haumea density of 2.6 g/cm³ (2.1× smaller than Earth's density) provides clues about its internal composition, while the surface gravity of 0.401 m/s² (24.5× smaller than Earth's gravity) determines how objects behave on its surface. The moderate density suggests a mixed composition of rocky and icy materials.
Orbital Properties
The 136108 Haumea orbit reveals fascinating details about its journey around the Sun and its relationship to other Solar System objects. The 136108 Haumea orbit has a semimajor axis of 6.43e+9 km (42.995 AU), placing it 43.0× Earth's distance from the Sun. At its closest approach (perihelion), 136108 Haumea comes within 5.16e+9 km of the Sun, while at its farthest point (aphelion), it reaches 7.71e+9 km, creating a 39.6% variation in solar distance. The 136108 Haumea orbit is moderately elliptical with an eccentricity of 0.191 (11.5× Earth's orbital eccentricity), creating noticeable seasonal variations in solar radiation. The 136108 Haumea orbit takes 1.20 days to complete (304.1× smaller than Earth's orbital period), defining the length of its year. The orbital inclination of 28.19° indicates how much the 136108 Haumea orbit is tilted relative to the Solar System's ecliptic plane. This moderate inclination indicates a typical orbital evolution for objects in this region of the Solar System.
Rotation and Tilt
The 136108 Haumea rotation and axial orientation provide crucial insights into its daily and seasonal cycles, as well as its orbital dynamics. The 136108 Haumea rotation period of 0.00 hours (21980.6× smaller than Earth's rotation period) determines the length of its day. This extremely fast rotation creates intense centrifugal forces and may contribute to the planet's flattened shape. The 136108 Haumea axial tilt of 0° determines the intensity and nature of seasonal variations. With minimal axial tilt, 136108 Haumea experiences virtually no seasonal changes, maintaining relatively constant temperatures throughout its year. The orbital orientation parameters reveal additional details about 136108 Haumea's position in space. The mean anomaly of 218.205° indicates the planet's current position in its orbit relative to its perihelion. The argument of periapsis of 239.041° shows how the orbit's orientation changes over time due to gravitational perturbations. The longitude of ascending node of 122.167° defines the reference point where the orbit crosses the ecliptic plane.
Temperature and Atmosphere
The 136108 Haumea temperature and atmospheric conditions are fundamental to understanding its habitability and environmental characteristics. The 136108 Haumea average temperature of 50.0 K (-223.1 °C) (-369.7°F) provides the baseline for understanding its climate. These extremely cold temperatures make 136108 Haumea inhospitable to life as we know it, with any atmosphere likely frozen solid on the surface. Compared to Earth's average temperature of 15°C (59°F), 136108 Haumea presents a dramatically different thermal environment. Being farther from the Sun than Earth, 136108 Haumea receives less solar radiation, resulting in cooler conditions. The elliptical orbit creates significant temperature variations throughout the year, with extreme seasonal changes.
Escape Velocity & Flattening
The 136108 Haumea escape velocity and shape characteristics reveal important details about its gravitational field and rotational dynamics. The 136108 Haumea escape velocity of 809 m/s (13.8× smaller than Earth's escape velocity) determines how easily objects can break free from its gravitational pull. This relatively low escape velocity means that gases and light molecules can easily escape into space, making it difficult for 136108 Haumea to retain a substantial atmosphere. The 136108 Haumea flattening of 61.0200% indicates how much the planet's rotation affects its shape. This significant flattening indicates rapid rotation that has substantially deformed the planet's shape, creating a pronounced equatorial bulge.
FAQs About 136108 Haumea
What is the gravity on 136108 Haumea?
The gravity on 136108 Haumea is 0.401 m/s² (24.5× smaller than Earth's gravity). This gravitational force determines how objects behave on the surface, affects atmospheric retention, and influences the planet's ability to hold onto gases and particles. A person weighing 70 kg on Earth would weigh 2.9 kg on 136108 Haumea.
What is the average temperature of 136108 Haumea?
The average temperature of 136108 Haumea is 50.0 K (-223.1 °C) (-369.7°F). This temperature is influenced by factors such as distance from the Sun, atmospheric composition, albedo (reflectivity), and orbital eccentricity. The sub-zero temperatures mean water would exist primarily as ice.
How far is 136108 Haumea from the Sun?
136108 Haumea orbits at an average distance of 6.43e+9 km (42.995 AU) from the Sun, placing it 43.0× Earth's distance from the Sun. This distance determines the amount of solar radiation the planet receives and significantly influences its temperature and climate.
How long is a year on 136108 Haumea?
A year on 136108 Haumea lasts 1.20 days (304.1× smaller than Earth's orbital period). This orbital period defines the length of the planet's year and affects seasonal patterns, temperature variations, and the overall climate cycle.
What is the escape velocity of 136108 Haumea?
The escape velocity of 136108 Haumea is 809 m/s (13.8× smaller than Earth's escape velocity). This is the minimum speed required for an object to break free from the planet's gravitational pull and enter space. The low escape velocity makes it difficult for the planet to retain an atmosphere.
What is 136108 Haumea made of?
136108 Haumea has a density of 2.6 g/cm³ (2.1× smaller than Earth's density). This density provides important clues about the planet's internal composition. The moderate density suggests a mixed composition of rocky and icy materials.
Does 136108 Haumea have seasons?
136108 Haumea has an axial tilt of 0°. With minimal axial tilt, the planet experiences virtually no seasonal changes, maintaining relatively constant temperatures throughout its year.
Discovery Information
- Discovered By
- Michael E. Brown, José Luis Ortiz Moreno
- Discovery Date
- 28/12/2004
Raw Data
