James Webb Telescope Uncovers Rapid Changes in Chariklo's Rings

WHO:

Live Science - Pablo Santos-Sanz, a researcher at the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia, is the first author of the study.

Live Science - The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is involved in the observations.

WHAT:

Science Daily - The James Webb Space Telescope revealed that the inner ring of Chariklo became more opaque while its outer ring became less opaque.

Live Science - Chariklo is approximately 400 miles (250 kilometers) in diameter and is classified as a centaur, exhibiting characteristics of both asteroids and comets.

Live Science - Chariklo's rings were first discovered in 2013, making it the first small solar system body found to have rings.

Live Science - The study was published on September 9 in the journal Science Advances.

Live Science - Chariklo's speed relative to JWST was 1.5 miles per second (2.5 kilometers per second).

WHERE:

Live Science - Chariklo orbits between Saturn and Uranus.

Live Science - The observations were conducted from a location roughly 930,000 miles (1.5 million kilometers) from Earth.

WHEN:

Live Science - The JWST took observations of Chariklo in 2022.

Live Science - The next planned observation is when Chariklo passes in front of a star, which is a future event.

WHY:

Live Science - The changes in the rings suggest that small bodies with rings may have more dynamic systems than previously thought.

Live Science - The study authors proposed three possible reasons for the changes in the rings' opacity.

HOW:

Live Science - The researchers used information from the European Space Agency's Gaia mission to time the observations precisely during a stellar occultation.

Live Science - All observations of Chariklo's rings have utilized stellar occultations due to the faintness of the rings, measuring brightness changes as Chariklo passes in front of a background star.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 15:00 UTC)

A recent study led by Pablo Santos-Sanz from the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia has revealed intriguing changes in the rings of Chariklo, as observed by the James Webb Space Telescope. The inner ring of Chariklo, which is about 400 miles in diameter and orbits between Saturn and Uranus, has become more opaque, while its outer ring has become less so, suggesting that small bodies with rings may have more dynamic systems than previously thought. The next planned observation of Chariklo will occur when it passes in front of a star, allowing researchers to gather more data on these fascinating changes.