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JWST shows Chariklo’s rings changed in two years

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 8:00 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Andalusian Institute Reports Change

Spain's Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia reported that Chariklo's rings changed, based on JWST observations.
The inner ring showed significantly higher opacity while the outer ring showed lower opacity than earlier data.
Researchers detected the changes during a stellar occultation on October 18, 2022, when Chariklo passed a distant star.
The findings challenge the view that small-body rings are stable, showing they can evolve within a few years.

Summary

JWST Captures Occultation

JWST performed the first stellar occultation ever predicted and scheduled specifically for the telescope.
NIRCam captured 14,827 images and analyzed 1,646 around the occultation using 1.5 µm and 3.2 µm filters.
Chariklo moved past JWST at about 5,600 mph (2.5 km s?¹), allowing detailed ring resolution.
ESA’s Gaia mission provided the precise star coordinates needed to time the occultation.
The Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC) coordinated the observation, demonstrating cross-institutional collaboration.

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Andalusian Institute Reports Change

Spain's Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia reported that Chariklo's rings changed, based on JWST observations.
The inner ring showed significantly higher opacity while the outer ring showed lower opacity than earlier data.
Researchers detected the changes during a stellar occultation on October 18, 2022, when Chariklo passed a distant star.
The findings challenge the view that small-body rings are stable, showing they can evolve within a few years.

1 / 2