Tag

Centaurs

All articles tagged with #centaurs

astronomy2 years ago•3 min saved

"Centaurs' Transformation: Jupiter and Saturn's Influence"

Centaurs, small bodies in the outer solar system, can exhibit comet-like activity due to rapid orbital reshaping caused by close encounters with Jupiter or Saturn, leading to a decrease in their semi-major axis and a shift to more circular and lower perihelion orbits. This change allows their surfaces to warm up, causing ices in their interior to sublimate and turn them into comets. The study suggests that every Centaur has the potential to become active, and the findings could help identify objects that are currently active or may become active soon.

via Phys.org|

#astronomy #centaurs #comets

space-science2 years ago•4 min saved

Unveiling the Mysterious Phenomenon Between Saturn and Uranus

New research reveals that the minor planet Chiron, previously thought to have rings, actually has an ever-shifting disk of dust and gas. The true nature of the material orbiting Chiron remains unknown, but recent observations indicate that it is not a stable ring system. Chiron, one of the first objects in a new class known as centaurs, has shown signs of comet-like activity and has experienced changes in the amount of material blocking starlight over the years. Further investigation is needed to understand the complex nature of Chiron's disk and its relationship to other objects with apparent ring systems.

via IFLScience|

#centaurs #chiron #dust-and-gas

space-science2 years ago•3 min saved

JWST Makes Groundbreaking Discovery: Carbon Dioxide Found in Centaur

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has detected carbon dioxide in a Centaur for the first time, specifically in Centaur 39P/Oterma. Centaurs are small planetary bodies that orbit between Jupiter and Neptune and exhibit characteristics of both comets and asteroids. This discovery could provide valuable insights into the formation, evolution, and composition of Centaurs and the early solar system. The study used JWST's Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) instrument and ground-based observations to analyze 39P/Oterma. The detection of carbon dioxide in a Centaur could revolutionize our understanding of these celestial objects and their role in the solar system.

via Universe Today|

#carbon-dioxide #centaurs #jwst