A ring looping around the icy dwarf planet Quaoar is located much farther from its parent body than scientists thought was possible. Astronomers have discovered an entirely new ring system within the solar system, and it's located at such a great distance from its dwarf planet parent that it should be impossible.

The ring surrounds Quaoar, which is around half the size of Pluto and located beyond Neptune.

This discovery shows you the amazing diversity of things that are in our own cosmic backyard. You don't have to look light-years away into the distant universe to find the unexpected. Surprises are still aplenty in our own solar system.

Credit: NASA/JPL / JHUAPL/SwRI / Chad A. Trujillo and Michael E. Brown / ESA/CSA/Nicolás Morales (IAA/CSIC) / CSA, STScI / Paris Observatory / M.M. HEDMAN/NATURE 2023 / Science@NASA

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