Scientists find dense ring around dwarf planet, but can't quite explain why it's there
CBSN
New telescope data has revealed that a dwarf planet in the outer reaches of the solar system has a dense ring around it, leaving scientists and astronomers confused as to why.
Scientists at the European Space Agency announced Wednesday that data and observations of the planet Quaoar which was collected between 2018 and 2021 —from ground-based telescopes, and the space-based telescope Cheops — led them to the discovery.
The ESA disclosed that Quaoar crossed in front of a succession of distant stars, blocking their light as it passed, in an event called an occultation. When the planet blocked that light, scientists were able to see its ring.
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The United States launched military strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities Sunday morning local time, an action President Trump said aimed to neutralize a threat "posed by the world's number one state sponsor of terror." It was widely seen as a turning point in America's involvement in the ongoing Middle East conflicts as the first direct intervention by U.S. forces in the war between Israel and Iran.
DWEIL'A, Syria — A suicide bomber in Syria on Sunday detonated himself inside a church filled with people, killing at least 13, Syrian state media reported.
The remains of three more hostages held in the Gaza Strip have been recovered, the Israeli military said Sunday, as strikes continued on the Palestinian territory.
At least 16 people were hurt and at least one impact was reported in central Israel Sunday after Iran launched two waves of missiles at the country following the U.S. bombing of its nuclear sites, rescue services and reports said.
Washington - Lawmakers across the political aisle offered a mixed response Saturday following President Trump's announcement that the United States launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
The U.S. Department of State has begun assisted departure flights from Israel, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said on X Saturday.
A hot air balloon caught fire and tumbled from the sky on Saturday in Brazil 's southern state of Santa Catarina, killing at least eight people, officials said.
A man in his 80s was caught on video driving a compact luxury Mercedes-Benz A Class sedan down the landmark Spanish Steps in Rome before getting stuck partway down.
Popping a champagne bottle on Portugal's Atlantic coast in February, 32-year-old American Ian Andersen set out to fulfill his dream of biking across all seven continents of the world. He planned to ride for 10 months, covering roughly 10,000 miles to reach his final destination of Japan.
Erbil, Iraq — Israel has been hammering Iran's nuclear and military sites for a week. To reach their targets, Israeli warplanes must cover about 1,000 miles, traversing as many as three countries, including Iraq, which sits right on Iran's western border. For decades, Iranian groups opposed to the Islamic Republic's theocratic rulers have organized in exile across the border in Iraq, including ethnic Kurdish factions that have become well organized, and armed.
Calgary, Alberta — Falling rocks struck people on a hiking trail in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, killing one and injuring three others Thursday.
Some airlines have continued to suspend flights between the United States and the Middle East amid the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Southern Israel — The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem told U.S. citizens in Israel Thursday morning that the State Department was "planning for contingencies to assist with private U.S. citizens' departure from Israel."