A number of rings are known today around giant planets and some minor Solar System bodies. However, our profound lack of knowledge about what are those rings, how they form, and what are their lifetimes powers strong controversies.

Are rings long-lived or transient features? What is the relation between rings and moons? Are rings common in other planetary systems? Around which kinds of objects can we find them?

The MRT project at NTNU aims to advance on these questions from the perspective of rings demographics in the Solar System. It focusses on two observational strategies.

• Stellar occultations. We run a network of telescopes operated by voluntary observers (the MRT stations).
• Asteroid photometry. We coordinate observations of asteroids using meter-class telescopes over the world.

More details on the MRT webpage!