The rings of Chariklo are unexpectedly dynamic and changing
New observations by the James Webb Space Telescope show that the rings of Chariklo, a Centaur in the outer solar system, changed over a period of a few years. The post The rings of Chariklo are unexpectedly dynamic and changing first appeared on EarthSky .
The rings of Chariklo, a small asteroid-like body between Saturn and Uranus, have been found to be unexpectedly dynamic, with changes in opacity observed over just a few years. Scientists discovered the rings in 2013, making Chariklo the first known body outside the major planets to possess a ring system. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, a recent study led by the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia in Spain has revealed that the inner ring exhibits greater opacity while the outer ring shows less opacity.
This unexpected change in the rings' opacity cannot be attributed to a newly discovered small moon, as previously speculated. Researchers suggest that the rings are unstable, prompting a reevaluation of how such small bodies form, evolve, and maintain stability. This marks the first time the Webb space telescope's stellar occultation technique has been used to observe and document such changes in a small body's ring system.
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