What makes the dwarf planet Haumea a bizarre object among the major Kuiper Belt worlds?
Answer
Haumea is notable for its rapid rotation, which has resulted in an elongated, ellipsoid shape.
Haumea presents a stark contrast to the near-spherical shapes achieved by Pluto and Eris. This difference is attributed to Haumea’s exceptionally rapid rotation rate. This fast spin subjects the object to significant centrifugal forces, which effectively stretch its mass outward along its equator. Consequently, Haumea has been deformed from a sphere into a distinctly elongated, ellipsoid shape, setting it apart physically from its more spherically balanced dwarf planet neighbors in the Kuiper Belt.
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