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The Oort cloud (/ ɔːr t, ʊər t /), [1] sometimes called the Öpik–Oort cloud, [2] is theorized to be a vast cloud of icy planetesimals surrounding the Sun at distances ranging from 2,000 to 200,000 AU (0.03 to 3.2 light-years). [3] [note 1] [4] The concept of such a cloud was proposed in 1950 by the Dutch astronomer Jan Oort, in whose ...
The Oort cloud (/ ɔːr t, ʊər t /), sometimes called the Öpik–Oort cloud, is theorized to be a vast cloud of icy planetesimals surrounding the Sun at distances ranging from 2,000 to 200,000 AU (0.03 to 3.2 light-years). The concept of such a cloud was proposed in 1950 by the Dutch astronomer Jan Oort, in whose honor the
One such area of replenishment is the Oort cloud, a spherical swarm of comets extending beyond 50,000 AU from the Sun first hypothesised by Dutch astronomer Jan Oort in 1950. [10] The Oort cloud is believed to be the point of origin of long-period comets, which are those, like Hale–Bopp, with orbits lasting thousands of years.
The Kuiper belt is distinct from the hypothesized Oort cloud, which is believed to be a thousand times more distant and mostly spherical. The objects within the Kuiper belt, together with the members of the scattered disc and any potential Hills cloud or Oort cloud objects, are collectively referred to as trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). [21]
If Halley was once a long-period comet, it is likely to have originated in the Oort cloud, [49] a sphere of cometary bodies around 20,000–50,000 au from the Sun. Conversely the Jupiter-family comets are generally believed to originate in the Kuiper belt , [ 49 ] a flat disc of icy debris between 30 au (Neptune's orbit) and 50 au from the Sun ...
A star is expected to pass through the Oort cloud every 100,000 years or so. [5] An approach as close or closer than 52,000 AU is expected to occur about every 9 million years. [2] In about 1.4 million years, Gliese 710 will come to a perihelion of between 8,800 and 13,700 AU. [10]
“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” “My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness.”
This cloud is now known as the Oort Cloud. He also realized that these external comets, from beyond Pluto, can "become trapped into tighter orbits by Jupiter, and become periodic comets, like Halley's comet." According to one source, "Oort was one of the few people to have seen Comet Halley on two separate apparitions.