The dwarf planet Haumea isn't actually shaped like a smooth egg—it’s got a weird, "pinched" look to it.
arXiv · March 13, 2026 · 2603.11787
Why it matters
New calculations show that Haumea's extreme rotation should distort it into a figure that looks more like a piece of candy than a planet. This strange shape is predicted to be visible during a rare celestial event in 2026 when the planet passes in front of a distant star.
From the abstract
The equilibrium figure of dwarf planet Haumea is studied to determine if the observed shape is compatible with a differentiated hydrostatic body. Three groups of interior models of Haumea are assumed, all with a rocky core and a volatile-rich outer shell that may contain some porosity. A third layer located between the core and the outer shell has a density suggesting partial differentiation or the presence of a large fraction of organic matter. Using the code BALEINES, which solves for the equi