The Oort Cloud, a vast region of icy bodies at the edge of our Solar System, has long been thought to be sphere-shaped. However, new research suggests that its inner part may have a twisted spiral shape.
Scientists have discovered that the Oort Cloud is comprised of two main parts: an outer and inner region. While both are believed to be spherical, researchers now believe that the inner part, 1,000 to 10,000 astronomical units (a.u.) from the Sun, has a unique shape – resembling the Milky Way in miniature.
Researchers attribute this unusual shape to tidal forces caused by our Galaxy’s center. As the planets and other celestial bodies orbit around the Sun, they create tidal forces that can distort their paths. In the case of the Oort Cloud, these forces have resulted in a tilted disk shape with an angle of 30 degrees from the ecliptic plane.
This discovery challenges our previous understanding of the Oort Cloud’s structure and highlights the complexities of celestial mechanics. As scientists continue to study this phenomenon, we may uncover even more secrets about the Solar System and its mysterious outer reaches.
Source: https://universemagazine.com/en/a-spiral-structure-may-be-around-the-solar-system