Celestial Body – Chiron
Syllabus: Science (UPSC Prelims)
Source: DD News
Context:
Astronomers have, for the first time, observed ring formation around the icy celestial body Chiron, a small planet-like object orbiting between Saturn and Uranus. This marks the first real-time observation of a ring system forming around such a minor planet.
About Chiron:
What it is:
Chiron, officially known as (2060) Chiron, is a centaur object — a mix between an asteroid and a comet — that orbits the Sun between Jupiter and Neptune.
Discovery:
It was discovered in 1977 by astronomer Charles Kowal, becoming the first identified centaur object, which later led to discoveries of other similar icy bodies in the outer solar system.
Key Features:
- Orbit & Size: About 200 km wide, with an orbital period of roughly 50 years.
- Composition: Made up of rock, water ice, and organic materials; sometimes shows comet-like activity with gas and dust ejection.
- Ring System:
The latest study has revealed four rings — three dense inner rings at 273 km, 325 km, and 438 km, and a fourth diffuse ring about 1,400 km away. These rings are mostly composed of water ice and dust. - Formation: The rings likely formed due to a collision or debris ejection from Chiron itself, providing rare insights into how such systems evolve around smaller celestial bodies.
Significance:
- Scientific Insight: Helps scientists understand how rings form and evolve around smaller solar system bodies.
- Comparative Discovery: Chiron joins Chariklo, Haumea, and Quaoar as one of the few known small celestial bodies with ring systems, showing that ring formation is a universal phenomenon, not limited to giant planets like Saturn.
