Haumea is not considered a planet but rather a dwarf planet located in our solar system's Kuiper Belt. It is known for its highly elongated and ellipsoidal shape. The primary reason for Haumea's shape is its rapid rotation. Haumea completes one rotation on its axis in just under four hours, making it one of the fastest rotating objects in our solar system. This rapid rotation causes the dwarf planet to flatten at the poles and bulge at the equator, resulting in its elongated and ellipsoidal shape.
While Haumea is one of the most extreme examples of an ellipsoidal shape among celestial bodies in our solar system, other planets and moons also exhibit some level of oblateness (flattening at the poles). For example, Saturn is known for its prominent oblate shape due to its rapid rotation. Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune also exhibit a degree of oblateness, albeit to a lesser extent.
The implications of an ellipsoidal shape primarily relate to the internal structure and dynamics of the celestial body. The shape provides clues about the body's rotational characteristics and the distribution of mass within it. Scientists can study the amount of flattening to gain insights into the internal composition, density distribution, and possibly the history of the object.
In the case of Haumea, its ellipsoidal shape indicates that it has a differentiated interior, meaning it has distinct layers with different compositions. It is believed to have a rocky core surrounded by a subsurface layer of ice, which is covered by a thin outer shell. The rotation and shape of Haumea also led to the formation of a ring around it, composed of debris from past collisions or disruptions.
Studying celestial bodies with ellipsoidal shapes helps us understand the diverse processes occurring in our solar system and provides insights into the formation and evolution of these objects.