Makemake

Formally designated (136472) Makemake, is the third-largest known dwarf planet in the Solar System and one of the two largest Kuiper belt objects (KBO) in the classical KBO population. Its diameter is roughly three-quarters that of Pluto. Makemake has no known satellites, which makes it unique among the largest KBOs. Its extremely low average temperature (about 30 K) means its surface is covered with methane, ethane and possibly nitrogen ices.

Initially known as 2005 FY9 (and later given the minor planet number 136472), it was discovered on March 31, 2005 by a team led by Michael Brown, and announced on July 29, 2005. On June 11, 2008, the IAU included Makemake in its list of potential candidates to be given "plutoid" status, a term for dwarf planets beyond the orbit of Neptune that would place the object alongside Pluto and Eris. Makemake was formally classified as a plutoid in July 2008.

The provisional designation 2005 FY9 was given to Makemake when the discovery was made public. Before that, the discovery team used the codename "Easterbunny" for the object, because of its discovery shortly after Easter.

In July 2008, in accordance with IAU rules for classical Kuiper belt objects, 2005 FY9 was given the name of a creator deity. The name of Makemake, the creator of humanity in the mythos of the Rapanui, the native people of Easter Island, was chosen in part to preserve the object's connection with Easter.

Makemake facts
Discoverer	Michael E. Brown, Chad Trujillo, David Rabinowitz
Discovery	March 31, 2005
Diameter	1600 – 2000? km
Category	Dwarf Planet
Eccentricity	0.159
Inclination	28.963°
Semi-major axis	45.791 AU
Perihelion	38.508 AU
Aphelion	53.0736 AU
Orbital period	309.868 years
Orbital speed	4.419 km/s
Albedo	0.8
Absolute magnitude	-0.4

Information from: NASA, Wikipedia and David Darling’s encyclopedia.