Dynamical interactions of the solar system with massive nebulae

Abstract

AbstractThe effects of encounters with massive nebulae on the long-period comet population are examined, paying particular attention to the uncertainties in the data. An earlier conclusion, that the long-period comet system is dynamically unstable, is upheld. Whether replenishment by unbinding from a dense inner comet cloud is a viable hypothesis awaits detailed modelling, but a qualitative discussion is given which argues tentatively against it. If comets occur in molecular clouds, however, their capture into temporarily bound Solar System orbits is a natural consequence of close encounters for realistic velocities and potentials. A large disturbance or capture may have occurred a few Myr ago as the Sun emerged from the Orion spiral arm.