Are there any "Polar" solar system structures?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of "polar" structures within the solar system, specifically focusing on whether there are asteroid clusters or other formations aligned with the sun's axis of rotation. Participants explore the idea of structures that may exist outside the conventional ecliptic plane.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the definition of "polar" structures in relation to the solar system.
  • There is a suggestion that asteroid clusters could be aligned with the sun's axis of rotation, but concerns are raised about the feasibility of such orbits.
  • One participant compares the potential arrangement of solar system structures to galactic globular clusters found along galactic axes.
  • Another participant questions whether there are asteroids in polar orbits, which would be perpendicular to the ecliptic.
  • The Oort cloud is proposed as a possible example of a polar structure, with some participants expressing intrigue about its arrangement and the nature of its evidence.
  • There is acknowledgment of the limited direct observational data regarding the Oort cloud, leading to a mix of excitement and frustration among participants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and agreement regarding the existence and definition of polar structures, with no consensus reached on the specifics of such formations.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the nature of orbits and the definition of polar structures remain unresolved, and the discussion reflects uncertainty about the arrangement of solar system bodies.

Jimster41
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Like asteroid clusters or any kind of what-not thought to be part of our solar system?
 
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Soorry... What is a "polar" structure ?
 
In Heliocentric Ecliptic coordinates? North and South along the sun's axis of rotation.

You know, are there any igloos? :wink:

or asteroid clusters?

[Edit] it's possible I already asked this question. If so shame on me for forgetting, but hopefully anyone who answered has also forgot they already answered.
 
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Do you mean an asteroid cluster that is clustered in the direction of the sun's axis of rotation? If so, it can't be in orbit.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Do you mean an asteroid cluster that is clustered in the direction of the sun's axis of rotation? If so, it can't be in orbit.

I hesitated to use the word orbit. I was just thinking of there. Sort of the way galactic globular clusters seems to be found along the galactic axes of rotation. I saw a diagram of the solar system the other day, in relation to the Ceres mission. It shows the asteroid belts in a way I'd never seem before. Just seems like a lot of structure for clouds of those things, made me wonder about spherical structure, not just an orbital plane.. Maybe the diagram was bogus. I'll see if I can find it.

But I'm getting that the answer is kind of "nope". i was half expecting an "of course..."
 
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Could you give an example of a structure that would qualify ? I still don't get what you are after...

From.your last post it seems youbare asling "are there asteriod in polar orbits" i.e. orbits perpendicular to the ecliptic, or at least highly inclined - did I get that right ?
 
a clump of mass, or n of them that are statistically unlikely but in their clumping, but also in their location w/respect to the orbital axis of the solar plane. Ice-balls, dwark planets, clouds of little rocks.
 
Would the Oort cloud qualify ?
 
Wow. Yeah, that sure seems like what I was looking for... thanks. it's a drawing but I gather the real thing is not just totally random, + the ecliptic plane, that it looks more like the drawing, with some kind of harmonic-ish spherical structure.
Oort_Cloud.jpg


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oort_cloud
 
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  • #10
Frustratingly it seems we know little about it, all from indirect evidence rather than direct observations.
 
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  • #11
That is exciting on the one hand and also incredibly frustrating... Is right.
 

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