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The observed distribution of inclinations of long-period comets are why it's called the Oort cloud and not the Oort belt.. Short period comets are relatively c
by Polizeiposaune 2y ago
The observed distribution of inclinations of long-period comets are why it's called the Oort cloud and not the Oort belt..
Short period comets are relatively close to the ecliptic, while very-long-period comets have evenly distributed inclinations suggesting that the objects in the Oort are more or less spherically distributed.
Discussed here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oort_cloud#Development_of_theory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oort_cloud#Development_of_theo...