No. The Webb observations discussed in September 2026 did not directly image Chariklo's rings separately from the main body. Researchers studied the rings through their effect on a background star's light.
During the observation on October 18, 2022, the rings passed in front of the star from Webb's viewpoint, causing measurable dips in brightness. NASA explains that Chariklo is too small and distant for Webb to directly resolve its rings separately. The IAA-CSIC account of the new study describes the same indirect technique.
Detecting rings in a light curve is different from resolving them in a photograph. The September study examined differences between ring measurements; its scientific illustrations should not be mistaken for direct Webb photographs of the rings.
Webb measured starlight blocked by the rings. A detection through changing brightness is not a resolved photograph of the ring system.
Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC)
The institute explains that the rings were studied through stellar occultation and cannot be photographed directly with Webb at their size and distance.
Based on: Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC)
NASA
NASA states that Webb cannot directly image the rings separately from Chariklo and describes their detection through dips in a star's brightness.
Based on: NASA
IAA-CSIC and NASA
Both accounts identify the stellar occultation observation as occurring on October 18, 2022.
Based on: Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC)
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No. Bats have functional eyes and can see. Their visual abilities vary between species, so limited detail vision should not be confused with blindness.
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