Scientists have cracked one of the solar system’s most enduring mysteries – the shape of the Oort Cloud. A freak accident during a planetarium show at the American Museum of Natural History led to the discovery, which was later confirmed through simulations. The Oort Cloud, a region filled with icy relics from the solar system’s formation, had long been thought to be shaped like a sphere or flattened shell. However, the show revealed that it might have a more complex shape inside.
The spiral shape, resembling two waving arms, was discovered by accident during fine-tuning of a scene featuring the Oort Cloud. Researchers were surprised and excited by the finding, which challenges their previous understanding of the outer solar system. While the discovery is difficult to confirm with observations, it could provide clues about the orbits of distant comets.
The show’s scientifically accurate depiction of celestial objects was crucial in stumbling upon this new information. The accident proved that even seemingly ordinary tasks can lead to groundbreaking discoveries.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/space/milky-way-discovery-planetarium-oort-cloud-b2762718.html