James Webb detects mysterious changes in rings of distant Chariklo
JWST observations reveal Chariklo's rings have shifted significantly over a decade, challenging assumptions about ring stability.
What to know
- JWST detected opposite changes in Chariklo's two rings over roughly a decade: the inner ring became more opaque while the outer ring became less opaque.
- Researchers cannot yet determine whether the changes reflect actual physical evolution of the rings or limitations of earlier observation methods.
- The findings suggest that small bodies with rings throughout the solar system may be far more geologically active and dynamic than previously assumed.
Pablo Santos-Sanz Lead researcher, Institute of Astrophysics of AndalusiaYücel Kilic Postdoctoral researcher, Institute of Astrophysics of AndalusiaJames Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Space observatory
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Researchers propose three explanations for ring changes
Study authors offered three possible explanations: JWST's superior resolution revealed previously unseen density variations; actual physical changes occurred in the rings' material or grain structure; or JWST detected wavelength-dependent optical properties reflecting composition and grain size variations.
“Our results force us to reconsider how dynamic small bodies with rings may be, even those far from planetary gravitational influences.”
— Pablo Santos-Sanz -
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James Webb reveals Chariklo’s mysterious rings are changing faster than expected The James Webb Space Telescope has revealed surprising changes in the rings around Chariklo, a small object orbiting between Saturn and Uranus. Over just a few years, its inner ring became more opaque while its outer ring became less opaque. The results suggest that…
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Chariklo, a strange ringed object beyond Saturn, looks even stranger in new James Webb telescope study https://www. livescience.com/space/astronom y/strange-centaur-object-between-saturn-and-uranus-has-mysterious-changing-rings-james-webb-telescope-study-hints?utm_source=DamnInteresting
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Study reveals opposite changes in Chariklo's two rings — A study led by the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia, published in Science Advances, compared JWST data with earlier observations and found that Chariklo's rings have changed dramatically: the inner ring shows significantly higher opacity, while the outer ring shows lower opacity.
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James Webb observes Chariklo during stellar occultation — JWST conducted a planned stellar occultation observation on October 18, 2022, watching Chariklo pass in front of a distant star. The event marked the first stellar occultation specifically predicted and planned for JWST and then successfully observed.
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Astronomers discover rings around Chariklo — Scientists discovered two dense rings around Chariklo, a small object about 250 kilometers across orbiting between Saturn and Uranus. This was the first discovery of rings around a small solar system body.