JWST observations of the small body Chariklo reveal that its rings have dynamically changed over the past decade — one ring grew denser while the other nearly vanished. First discovered in 2013 via stellar occultation, the findings challenge long-held assumptions about ring stability around minor bodies. The mechanism driving these changes remains unknown.
Background
Chariklo is a centaur-type minor body (~250 km) orbiting between Saturn and Uranus. It was the first known ringed minor body when discovered in 2013 via stellar occultation.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Sep 19, 2026 at 06:00 PM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10