An Oort cloud origin for the high-inclination, high-perihelion Centaurs

TL;DR

This study uses numerical simulations to suggest that certain high-inclination, high-perihelion Centaurs originate from the Oort cloud, estimating their current population to be between 1 and 200 objects.

Contribution

It provides evidence supporting the Oort cloud as the source of specific high-inclination Centaurs, a connection not clearly established before.

Findings

High-inclination, high-perihelion Centaurs likely originate from the Oort cloud.

Estimated current population of these Centaurs is between 1 and 200.

Numerical simulations support the Oort cloud origin hypothesis.

Abstract

We analyse the origin of three Centaurs with perihelia in the range 15 AU to 30 AU, inclinations above 70 deg and semi-major axes shorter than 100 AU. Based on long-term numerical simulations we conclude that these objects most likely originate from the Oort cloud rather than the Kuiper Belt or Scattered Disc. We estimate that there are currently between 1 and 200 of these high-inclination, high-perihelion Centaurs with absolute magnitude H<8.