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The Oort cloudAlthough the outermost planet, Pluto, is 6 x 10 to the 9th km from the sun, the sun's gravitational sphere of influence extends much further, out to about 2 x 10 to the 13th km. This space is occupied by the Oort cloud, comprising 10 to the 12th-10 to the 13th cometary nuclei, formed in the primordial solar nebula. Observations and computer modeling have contributed to a detailed understanding of the structure and dynamics of the cloud, which is thought to be the source of the long-period comets and possibly comet showers.
Document ID
19900046464
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Wessman, Paul R.
(JPL Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
April 26, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Nature
Volume: 344
ISSN: 0028-0836
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
90A33519
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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