Summary:
- The dwarf planet Makemake, located in the Kuiper Belt beyond the orbit of Neptune, has been found to have a thin atmosphere containing methane gas.
- This is surprising because Makemake is much colder than Earth, with temperatures around -240°C (-400°F), and scientists expected any atmosphere to have frozen and fallen to the surface.
- The presence of methane gas in Makemake's atmosphere suggests that the dwarf planet may have a more complex geological and atmospheric history than previously thought, providing insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system.