NEW YORK – In a striking discovery from an unconventional source, researchers have uncovered a new insight into our solar system at a planetarium event premiering on Monday.
At the American Museum of Natural History last fall, preparations were underway for “Encounters in the Milky Way,” a show focused on the intricate star systems and celestial bodies within our galaxy. One scene in particular, showcasing the enigmatic Oort Cloud located far beyond Pluto, caught their attention. This vast region, believed to be a repository for icy remnants from the solar system’s genesis, occasionally sends comets hurling toward Earth. Despite its significance, its actual form has remained elusive.
During a viewing session of the Oort Cloud scene, observers noticed an unexpected spiral pattern projected on the dome of the planetarium. “Why is there a spiral there?” wondered Jackie Faherty, an astrophysicist responsible for the museum’s educational programming and a key figure in the show’s creation.
Traditionally, scientists envisioned the Oort Cloud as a spherical or slightly flattened shell influenced by gravitational interactions with other planets and the Milky Way. However, the planetarium’s depiction hinted at an internal structure bearing a resemblance to a bar with two spiraling arms, akin to the design of our Milky Way.
The museum quickly reached out to the scientist who contributed the Oort Cloud data for the exhibit, who was equally taken aback by the spiral configuration. “It’s kind of a freak accident that it actually happened,” commented David Nesvorny from the Southwest Research Institute.
Upon realizing the gravity of their find, the researchers published their new insights earlier this year in The Astrophysical Journal.
This discovery marks “a striking shift in our understanding of the outer solar system,” commented planetary scientist Andre Izidoro from Rice University via email, although he wasn’t part of the study. While observational confirmation of the spiral is challenging, gaining further knowledge about the trajectories of distant comets may provide substantive hints, Izidoro noted.
The specialists at the museum, while assembling the planetarium show narrated by actor Pedro Pascal, did not anticipate uncovering new cosmic insights. The presentation includes vivid scenes designed to captivate viewers, like the ongoing merger between the Sagittarius spheroidal galaxy and the Milky Way, noted museum representative Jon Parker. Despite the captivating visual appeal of these scenes, scientific accuracy remained paramount, which ultimately led to the serendipitous new discovery, explained Carter Emmart from the museum.
“You just never know what you’re going to find,” Emmart stated.