JWST Reveals Dynamic Structural Evolution in Chariklo's Rings

An international team using JWST and ground-based telescopes found that the inner ring of the Centaur Chariklo became over 50% more opaque while the outer ring lost about 60% of its opacity since 2017. The changes suggest ongoing replenishment and loss of material in the ring system.

• Inner ring C1R became over 50% more opaque since 2017
• Outer ring C2R lost about 60% of its opacity
• Rings orbit 265 km and 280 km from Chariklo's surface
• Chariklo has a radius of 125 km, the largest known Centaur