Recent observations confirm the presence of a complex ring system around the centaur Chiron, a celestial body exhibiting characteristics of both comets and asteroids. This revelation, made possible by detailed analysis of data spanning 12 years, offers a unique opportunity to study the formation of rings and moons around small bodies in the outer solar system.
Chiron, officially designated (95) Chiron, resides in the distant reaches of our solar system, orbiting between Saturn and Uranus, billions of kilometers from Earth. It's classified as a centaur, a type of minor planet that possesses features of both asteroids and comets, exhibiting occasional comet-like activity. Discovered in 1977, Chiron has long fascinated scientists due to its unusual nature. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory provides detailed orbital information about Chiron.