A new study by scientists has shown that the dwarf planet, which is located beyond the orbit of Neptune, has a ring. Like Saturn, it is formed from dust and various debris, but the reason for the appearance of the ring is not clear to astronomers. In fact, such a discovery defies the laws of physics. The study is published in the journal Nature.
The planet is called Quaoar and it is the seventh largest known dwarf planet, with a diameter of 1121 km. It was discovered in 2002 as one of the so-called trans-Neptunian objects orbiting the outermost planet in the solar system. Quaoar has its own satellite Veyvot with a diameter of 160 km.
This discovery would not be so special. After all, everyone knows that Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, as well as a dwarf planet called Haumea and even the asteroid Chariklo, which rotates between Saturn and Uranus, have rings. So what makes Quaoar different? The fact is that the Quaoar ring is too far from its planet (3885 km from the center). Up to this point, astronomers believed that rings could not exist at such a distance, since gravity would not hold the material in such a state. Logically, under the influence of its own gravity, another satellite should form, but the ring remains in place, thereby violating what scientists call the Roche limit. This is the first such case in the history of observations. Thus, the classical notion that dense rings only exist within the Roche limit of a planetary body needs to be completely revised, the scientists say.
The ring was discovered during a series of eclipses as Quaoar passed between Earth and several distant but much brighter stars. When the astronomers analyzed the data, they realized that they had recorded two slight fluctuations in brightness. Several ground-based telescopes have shown similar results. Now scientists have to either rethink the Roche limit, or find another explanation for the existence of the Quaoar ring, which can be formed by an unknown force.
Source: Trash Box
I’m Meagan Diaz, a news writer and author at World Stock Market. My main focus is on technology and stock market trends, and I’m passionate about helping readers stay informed on the ever-changing landscape. I bring extensive knowledge of the industry to my work as well as a knack for storytelling that makes my articles both accessible and engaging.
