Oort cloud

[Dr. Z]

So I was reading about known science of our solar system, in particular the Kuiper Belt, which is beyond the orbit of Neptune. Did you know there was something called the Oort cloud surrounding our solar system?



The Oort cloud has not millions, not billions, but trillions of comments that surround our solar system. The monstrous cloud is about a light year away from our sun and encircles our solar system like an outer atmosphere level. And then it hit me. This area where objects moves at tremendous speeds could very well act as a shield to keep objects out. It could also pose a serious threat to ships that would need to navigate though this maze of death.



Ships, I think would need to move at a certain speed, and pick a predictable path to navigate through cloud. Perhaps we should focus a large telescope on the region to see if there’s anything moving in the area that does not act like a comet or asteroid.



Just a thought.

[Corcaigh]

I like your way of thinking!

Don't really know much about the Oort cloud (I really need to start reading relevant books and articles!) is it a flat disc, or a - I'm going to use the word "ball"..?

[hollow27]

I've been fascinated by this for a while too. The size and depth of this "cloud" is just amazing. In addition to being the birth place of comets, the cloud is also said to house large planet or moon like objects. Here's the wiki page for it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oort_cloud

[Caveman In Space]

Hollow,

Thank you for the great illustration. looks to me a bit like an electron cloud of any atom. Isn't is ironic that our whole solar system resembles that of the atom?

-C.M.

[Dr. Z]

Thanks for the links!

[Moon]

Right now they are looking for a large gaseous planet called Tyche in the Oort Cloud. Also, there might be a brown dwarf named Nemesis which is hidden by this cloud.

We have probes which are entering this area and are still working. They will give us some feedback as to what is in the Oort Cloud.

[Corcaigh]

Thanks Hollow! That image is what I was trying to describe!