Introduction
The Kuiper Belt is a large group of space objects, mainly consisting of ice. These objects make up a huge cold region of space from fragments of cosmic bodies that did not participate in the formation of the Solar System (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). More than a trillion comets may be located in the Kuiper Belt, situated 30 AU from the Sun (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). The shape of the Kuiper Belt is a ring resembling an asteroid zone, only much larger.
Origin of the Kuiper Belt
The origin of the Kuiper Belt causes discussions in the scientific community, at the moment, there are several theories of the origin of this space object. According to the first theory, the Belt was formed from parts that did not format the Solar System (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). The impact of Neptune’s gravitational field prevented small and large objects from forming a new cosmic body. According to the second hypothesis, the Kuiper Belt formed closer to the Sun than it is currently located (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). The movements of Uranus and Neptune transferred the accumulation of icy objects to the colder part of the Solar System. Both concepts have a right to exist, but at the moment, it is difficult to prove what exactly influenced the formation of the Kuiper Belt.
Location and Composition
The exact number of objects included in the space formation is not precisely established. The Kuiper belt is located at a distance of 30 AU from the Solar System’s star; the nearest large celestial body is Neptune. (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). The location of the main mass of the Kuiper Belt is currently unknown. After performing spectral analysis, it turned out that most of the objects consisted of solid methane, ammonia and ice (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). The main objects of the Kuiper Belt are similar to classical planets that have their own orbit. A significant part consists of objects that are in resonance with the orbit of Neptune. The rest of the Kuiper Belt is represented by scattered objects located at a sufficient distance from the Sun.
Discovery of the Kuiper Belt
The first assumptions about the presence of unknown space objects beyond Neptune were expressed by astronomers in the 20th century. For the first time, the hypothesis of the presence of celestial bodies in an unexplored field was proposed by Kenneth Edgeworth (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). In 1943, the scientist’s article on Trans-Neptunian objects was published (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). Edgeworth proposed the theory that objects affected by the gravitational field of Neptune are in a disjointed state (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). From this assumption, the conclusion was formulated that strong scattering did not allow the formation of a single large celestial body in this area. A few years later, Gerard Kuiper, after whom the space object was named, suggested the existence of a cold zone around the Solar System (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). With the development of technological progress, further research confirmed this theory. Astronomers David Jewitt and Jane Lu discovered the first large Kuiper Belt object besides Pluto in 1992 (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). At the moment, a significant part of this area has been explored; many small and large objects have been discovered.
Exploring the Kuiper Belt
Kuiper Belt objects are being monitored, and scientists continue to study an area of space that has not been fully explored. The Trans – Neptunian zone is being investigated using the Herschel and Keller telescopes (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). Thanks to technical devices, it was possible to explore a new planet that is part of the belt, and the size and composition of the upper layer were established. The first attempt to study the area from a close distance was made in 2006 (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). The ‘New Horizons research probe was sent to study Pluto and its moons, and during the mission, a new asteroid was explored. The innovative spacecraft is currently heading beyond the Solar System (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). Unfortunately, scientists will have to wait for information from it for at least a decade. Humanity knows little about most of the objects beyond Neptune. Halley’s comet is the most well-studied celestial body, which approaches the Sun once every 75 years (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). Despite the ongoing research, obtaining information takes too much time, and the area is too large for a detailed study.
The Future of the Kuiper Belt
At the moment, it is impossible to say with certainty what changes the Kuiper Belt will undergo in the distant future. Astronomers put forward different theories, but the hypothesis of Kuiper himself seems to be the most relevant (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). The scientist suggested that the accumulation of icy bodies beyond Neptune is a short-lived phenomenon on a cosmic scale (Barucci, Prialnik & Young, 2019). This concept is explained by the high density of the belt, due to which cosmic bodies constantly collide with each other. Constant collisions gradually turn objects into cosmic dust, which is subsequently dispersed by the wind. It is assumed that after some time of existence, this area will disappear without a trace.
Conclusion
The icy zone beyond Neptune was formed under the influence of the planet’s gravitational field, while its fragmentation did not allow a large object to form within its limits. At the moment, the belt is being studied by scientists, and despite the discovery of many celestial objects, there is a large space for research. According to assumptions, the belt may completely disappear due to the high density of its components.
Reference
Barucci, A., Prialnik, D.K., & Young, L. (Eds.). (2019). The Trans-Neptunian Solar System. Elsevier Science.