Scientists have discovered a mysterious cloud of space rocks and debris at the edge of the solar system that resembles a mini galaxy. The Oort cloud, a theoretical debris shell thought to be 2,000-5,000 astronomical units away from the Sun, has been modeled as having spiral arms similar to those of the Milky Way galaxy.
Using NASA’s Pleiades supercomputer, researchers simulated the gravitational forces on objects at the edge of the solar system and found that the Oort cloud contains a long-lived spiral structure approximately 15,000 AU in length. This discovery could help unravel the mystery of comets and shed light on the origin of our neighboring planets.
The Oort cloud is believed to be the source of strange comets and meteorites, such as the mysterious cigar-shaped rock known as Oumuamua. The study’s findings suggest that the Galactic tide, a gravitational pull exerted by stars and black holes, plays a crucial role in shaping the Oort cloud’s structure.
While direct observational detection of the Oort spiral is difficult, this new model provides valuable insights into the origins of our solar system and the mysterious objects that inhabit its outer reaches.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/space/solar-system-edge-mini-galaxy-b2703478.html