Makemake Becomes the Newest Dwarf Planet

Posted by kdawson on Sunday July 13, 2008 @04:52PM from the this-one's-a-kuiper dept.

Kligat writes "The Kuiper belt object formerly known as (136472) 2005 FY9 has been rechristened Makemake and classified as a dwarf planet and plutoid by the International Astronomical Union, according to the United States Geological Survey. The reclassification occurs just a month after the latter category was created. The object was referred to by the team of discoverers by the codename Easterbunny, and the name Makemake comes from the creation deity of Easter Island, in accordance with IAU rules on naming Kuiper belt objects."

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plutoid... I like it by religious+freak · 2008-07-13 17:02 · Score: 5, Interesting

I've got to say, I think the compromise struck is a pretty good one. Pluto being a planet with similar objects not being a planet was not really scientific.

Plus, plutoid has a good ring to it.

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