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Centaur 10199 Chariklo (NIRCam Occultation Light Curve) [1]

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Date: 2023-04

Centaur 10199 Chariklo (NIRCam Occultation Light Curve)

Graphic titled “Centaur 10199 Chariklo Occultation Light Curve: NIRCam Filter F150W.”

The graphic has two parts. At the top is a diagram showing the change in relative position of a background star with respect to an icy body and its rings. Below the diagram is a graph showing the change in relative brightness of the star over time. The diagram and graph are aligned vertically to show the relationship between the relative position of the background star and the object and rings, and the measurements on the graph.

Diagram

At the center is a dark gray ovoid object labeled “Chariklo.” Surrounding Chariklo is a set of thin white ovals, labeled “Chariklo’s rings.” The rings are very close to each other. The inner ring is slightly thicker and brighter than the outer ring.

Running from left to right across the upper portion of the diagram is a dashed white horizontal line with 13 evenly spaced circles labeled “Star’s apparent path behind Chariklo’s rings.” There is an arrow at the right end of the dashed line to indicate the direction of relative motion. The line of circles begins and ends outside the rings, crossing behind the rings at the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock positions. The line of circles does not pass behind the dark object Chariklo itself.

Graph

Below the occultation diagram is a graph of Relative Brightness on the vertical y-axis versus Time in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 18, 2022 on the horizontal x-axis.

Axes

The y-axis is marked with an arrow pointing upwards, labeled dimmer at the bottom and brighter at the top. There are no tick marks or labels. The x-axis runs from 9:33 a.m. to 9:41 a.m., with two labeled tick marks: one at 9:35 a.m. and 9:40 a.m. The end points are not labeled.

Data

The graph consists of more than 1600 data points that together form a relatively straight horizontal line cut by two deep, narrow V-shaped valleys. The points are orange and are connected by orange line segments. The horizontal plain-like portion of the graph is labeled “Starlight.” The two valleys are labeled “Starlight blocked by Chariklo’s rings.” The valleys appear slightly to the right of the 9:35 a.m. and 9:40 a.m. time tick marks.

Relationship between the Diagram and Graph

Two vertical gray lines connect the points on the diagram where the star moves behind Chariklo’s rings with the two valleys on the graph.

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[1] Url: https://webbtelescope.org/contents/media/images/01GQJ8KESB02G5QGRBZ64AFFAF

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