The Oort cloud extends from around 2,000 AU out to around 200,000 AU from the sun.
An AU, or astronomical unit, is the average distance from the earth to the sun. That's approximately 146,600,000 kilometers.
The concept is a potential explanation for long-period comets, which can come from any direction, whether above, below, or in line with the ecliptic plane.
TwoBitGreaser
Geez, it’s massive!
spittleteets
Better idea of scale
Image Source: NASA (https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/oort-cloud/)
bluto1415
charliethewizard
Cloudy With a Chance of Oort Balls
doomedtogrow
(Objects are not to scale)
foreverinchains
The Oort cloud extends from around 2,000 AU out to around 200,000 AU from the sun.
An AU, or astronomical unit, is the average distance from the earth to the sun. That's approximately 146,600,000 kilometers.
The concept is a potential explanation for long-period comets, which can come from any direction, whether above, below, or in line with the ecliptic plane.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oort_cloud
Space is really fucking big, yo.
ReelPoop
Happy Cake Day, @OP !
DOcelot1
https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWE1NzM3M2U1bW4xanVwcDlwOXZteTF6emZpMGNwZzI2a3B0czF5M2xjZWd2bXZoMSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/a3IWyhkEC0p32/200w.webp
[deleted]
[deleted]
ourari
One 'n'
ourari
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Oort
BofusTeefus
Man, who would've expected he'd be the one to discover the Oort cloud. Crazy coincidence.
jimhotep
I know, right?
spittleteets
obviously to scale
PutItInNeutral
IAMSRC
Jan Oort's farts were the original Oort clouds.
spittleteets
OG OFC
ParaspriteHugger
https://xkcd.com/2414/
tiderfish
Apt
N0TFR13ND
Get
schrodingerscatfood
There’s an xkcd for every occasion. 😀
ParaspriteHugger
ISMETA
amtronic
I worked with an engineer that helped build it.
jimhotep
More like TV Repair Man, in that age of tech...
PinbotWizard
You were in the Vogon Constructor Fleet?
aRootinaTootin
The Oort Cloud?
malgor24
Dammit! You beat me to it.
amtronic
No, V'ger
BranDohCalrissian
The vaginager?
TheUnrepentant
BranDohCalrissian
Is that garment supposed to look so vagina-y?