In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have confirmed that Chiron — a small icy body orbiting between Saturn and Uranus — possesses a dynamic and evolving ring system. Observations made in 2023 using the Pico dos Dias Observatory in Brazil revealed four distinct rings, marking the first confirmed case of ring formation around a centaur, a celestial body with characteristics of both asteroids and comets.
Chiron, officially known as (2060) Chiron, is about 200 km wide and completes an orbit around the Sun every 50 years. The rings, primarily made of water ice and rocky debris, appear to be changing over time, providing new insight into how ring systems form and evolve beyond the giant planets.
Scientists believe the rings may have originated from a past collision or from material ejected during comet-like activity. This discovery makes Chiron only the fourth small solar system body known to have rings — joining Chariklo, Haumea, and Quaoar — highlighting that ring formation is not limited to massive planets like Saturn or Jupiter.
