Tag

Chariklo

All articles tagged with #chariklo

space20 days ago•7 min saved

Chariklo’s shifting rings hint at active dynamics in the smallest ringed world

New JWST occultation data show Chariklo’s two rings have evolved: the inner ring C1R thickened while the outer ring C2R faded, suggesting real temporal evolution rather than just a viewing geometry effect. Explanations include wavelength-dependent scattering in infrared or actual material transfer, possibly aided by an unseen shepherd satellite. A follow-up visible-light occultation is needed to confirm the cause and distinguish true change from observation effects.

via Ars Technica|

#chariklo #jwst #minor-bodies

space24 days ago•110 min saved

Webb spots evolving rings around Chariklo, a tiny ringed centaur

James Webb Space Telescope observations show Chariklo's two rings changed opacity since earlier views: the inner ring is denser while the outer ring is more transparent. Scientists propose three explanations—higher-resolution viewing revealing ring substructure, changes in ring material or grain properties, or wavelength-dependent scattering—and note that a follow-up stellar occultation could help confirm the findings and improve understanding of ring dynamics around distant small bodies.

via Live Science|

#centaur #chariklo #james-webb-space-telescope

space25 days ago•12 min saved

Chariklo’s Tiny Ring System May Be in Flux, Webb Observations Hint

Chariklo, a ~250‑km icy body, hosts two very narrow rings whose opacities appear to change on yearly timescales: the inner C1R became about 50% more opaque and the outer C2R faded by roughly 60% since 2017, while the rings’ radii stayed essentially the same. Webb’s 2022 near‑infrared occultation, alongside earlier visible observations, suggests this could reflect dust grain size or composition effects rather than outright material loss, though both are possible. Explanations range from new material or collision-produced grain clouds in the inner ring to continued confinement or replenishment mechanisms for the outer ring, such as shepherd moons or resonances. The study indicates Chariklo’s rings are dynamic rather than static ornaments, and further occultations are needed to confirm the causes of the changes.

via Space Daily|

#chariklo #occultation #opacity

science26 days ago•134 min saved

JWST uncovers dynamic, evolving rings around Chariklo

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers found that Chariklo’s two rings are changing: the inner ring is becoming more opaque while the outer ring is less opaque, revealed through stellar occultations observed since 2022. The results, published in Science Advances, suggest more complex ring physics than previously thought and prompt a reevaluation of how rings form and evolve on small solar-system bodies, aided by Gaia’s precise orbital data and JWST’s mission at the L2 point.

via Space|

#chariklo #james-webb-space-telescope #occultation

astronomy2 years ago•3 min saved

"Unveiling the Enigmatic Influence of Hidden Moons on Space Rock Rings"

Scientists have discovered that the asteroid-like minor planet Chariklo, located in the space between Jupiter and Neptune, is circled by a pair of gossamer rings likely shepherded by a tiny, unseen moonlet. The rings are being maintained and shaped by the moonlet, keeping them tidy and preventing them from dispersing. This discovery sheds light on the complex lives of minor planets and adds to our understanding of ring formation around small celestial bodies.

via ScienceAlert|

#asteroids #astronomy #chariklo

astronomy2 years ago•5 min saved

"Mysterious Satellites: Unraveling the Secrets of Celestial Rings"

Computer simulations suggest that a small, unseen moonlet may be responsible for shaping the thin rings around the distant minor planet Chariklo, a Centaur located between Jupiter and Neptune. These rings, which are not like the rings of giant planets, are thought to be sculpted by the influence of a small satellite, keeping them narrow and preventing them from dispersing. The rings are primarily made of water ice, and their formation and stability are still under investigation.

via Space.com|

#astronomy #centaur #chariklo

astronomy2 years ago•2 min saved

"Unexplained Disturbance Detected in Saturn-Uranus Ring System"

Astronomers have suggested that a previously unknown satellite may be responsible for shaping the rings of Chariklo, a small body located between Saturn and Uranus. Recent simulations indicate that the rings are being confined by a satellite, potentially preventing them from dispersing. The team's N-body simulations suggest that a satellite with a diameter of about 3.73 miles could maintain Chariklo's thin rings. Further observations are needed to confirm the presence of this satellite, as current imaging technology is not capable of directly spotting it.

via Gizmodo|

#astronomy #chariklo #rings