Suppose we discover a comet whose orbit was very highly eccentric,retrograde,had a very large tilt with respect to the ecliptic plane,and a period of 2,000 years.Where is the most likely place of origin for this comet?
A) the Kuiper Belt
B) the Oort Cloud
C) the giant planet family
D) outside the Solar System

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The characteristics of this comet -highly eccentric, retrograde, large tilt, and a long period- suggest that it originated from the Oort Cloud. This is because comets from the Kuiper Belt typically have lower eccentricities, shorter periods, and are generally aligned with the ecliptic plane, and the giant planet family is unlikely to produce a comet with a period this long. Comets from outside the Solar System are possible, but less likely than those originating from the Oort Cloud.

Suppose We Discover a Comet Whose Orbit Was Very Highly