Extra-solar Oort cloud encounters and planetary impact rates
Journal Article
·
· Icarus; (United States)
Upper limits are estimated to the number density of extra-solar Oort clouds (ESOC) through which the solar system might pass and to the probable number of attendant planetary impacts by comets. All stars are assumed to have Oort clouds. The model is based on the observed stellar spatial density and the ratio of the total number density to the observed number density. It is estimated that 486 close stellar passages and 12,160 ESOC encounters may have occurred. Each encounter would have produced a shower of hyperbolic comets, with the results of 1-3 ESOC impacts with the earth. It is concluded that the great majority of terrestrial cratering events by comets have and will come from solar Oort cloud comets. 19 references.
- Research Organization:
- Colorado Univ., Boulder
- OSTI ID:
- 6215972
- Journal Information:
- Icarus; (United States), Journal Name: Icarus; (United States) Vol. 69; ISSN ICRSA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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