Cold and distant
Makemake is so far away that sunlight is very weak there. Its surface is extremely cold and likely covered with frozen materials.
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Dwarf planet lesson
Makemake
Dwarf planet
Makemake is a distant dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt. It is one of the largest known objects there.
Kid fact
Makemake has a small moon discovered with the Hubble Space Telescope.
Makemake and its moon
Location
Kuiper Belt
Kind
Dwarf planet
Moon
At least 1
Surface
Icy
Large Kuiper Belt body
Makemake is one of the larger known objects in the Kuiper Belt, though it is still much smaller than Earth.
Tiny moon
The Hubble Space Telescope found a small moon around Makemake. Moons help scientists estimate a dwarf planet's mass.
Icy surface
Scientists think Makemake's surface includes methane ice. Studying reflected light helps reveal what distant surfaces are made of.
Look closely
In the image, Makemake and its moon may look like dots. That is a useful reminder of how far away these worlds are.
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