Image for Haumea

Haumea

Haumea is a dwarf planet located beyond Neptune in the Kuiper Belt. It is notable for its elongated shape, rapid rotation (about 3.9 hours), and a surface covered with crystalline ice that gives it a bright appearance. Haumea is roughly 1,960 kilometers (1,220 miles) wide and has two known moons. Its fast spin causes it to be flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator. Discovered in 2004, Haumea is part of a group of icy bodies that share similar orbital characteristics, and it offers insights into the composition and dynamics of objects in the outer solar system.