Speed Stories
2012 VP113, a recently discov-ered dwarf planet, is believed to be the farthest observed object in the solar system. These farther out Kuiper belt objects are taking us closer and closer to the proposed Oort cloud. While we have never observed the area, strong evidence tells of such an Oort cloud. This region would be the source of all comets ever seen.
A new study published by Global Change Biology shows that six different appalachian salamanders are significantly shrinking. Com-paring records from the 50’s, these salamanders have gotten 2-18% smaller in size. The study also shows that this is most likely caused by climate change. Other research-ers state that more investigation needs to occur before the final verdict of what is causing them to shrink is declared.
Cassini Imaging Team, SSI, JPL, ESA, NASA
Terrestrial Ring System
Chariklo, the largest asteroid between Saturn and Uranus, has recently been discovered to harbor rings. While all gas planets are known to have rings, no terrestrial body has been found with this quality. Another surprising fact is that of its size. With a diameter of only 162 miles, or 250 kilometers, it is the smallest known object to have rings by far. European Southern Observatory astronomers found this fact when recording Chariklo passing in front of a star. This phenomenon, known as an occultation, was recorded by the observatory. Right before the event, a dip in the star’s brightness occurred. This dip reoccured straight after the occultation. With advanced light detectors, astronomers identified these dips as being caused by two dense rings. Other than only having rings, a small moon must have shaped the system. This unexpected discovery shows us how there is still much more to be discovered in our solar system.
Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is continuing to shrink at visible rates. Since early measurements it has more than halved to about 10,250 miles in diameter. Since the 1800’s a steady, yet slow, shrinking of the storm has been present, but since 2012 it has been down grading by 580 miles a year. Small eddies, or vortexes, falling into the GRS may be responsible for the change. Juno, the most advanced Jupiter mission ever, will reach the planet by 2016 and shed light on the occurrences.