Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 12:40pm on 24 Feb 2025,Monday Science
Scientists have discovered that the Oort cloud, a mysterious debris field at the solar system's edge, may resemble a "mini galaxy" with spiral arms. This cloud, located between 2,000 and 5,000 astronomical units away, is believed to be the source of strange comets and meteorites like 'Oumuamua,' the cigar-shaped rock that passed Earth in 2017. Using supercomputer models, researchers from NASA have simulated the gravitational influence of the galactic tide, revealing a spiral structure stretching 15,000 AU. Although this spiral is challenging to detect directly, it provides new insight into the Oort cloud's shape and its connection to the solar system's origin.
