This SpringerBrief summarizes the latest relevant research and
discoveries that have been made in the area of ringed small bodies and
small body taxonomy, including those that lay the groundwork for future
discoveries.
Before 2013, ringed small bodies were only theoretical. Thus, there are
very limited publications available on this relatively new subfield of
astronomy. With the introduction of the GAIA catalogue, star positions
are now known better than ever before. Since rings are discovered
through the use of starlight occultation, we could very well be looking
at an explosion of discoveries of ringed small bodies in the near
future.
Each chapter is accompanied by exercises, and an end-of-book answer key
is provided. As such, this brief will benefit students and researchers
alike who wish to have a single document and quick access to the latest
information on ringed small bodies and small body taxonomy.