Hyades star cluster and the New comets

TL;DR

This study investigates how the Hyades star cluster's past proximity to the Sun may have influenced the dynamics of the Oort cloud, potentially affecting the appearance of long-period comets.

Contribution

It provides estimations of the Hyades cluster's historical approach to the Sun and assesses its potential impact on Oort cloud objects and comet formation.

Findings

Hyades cluster was close to the Sun 1-2 million years ago

Proximity likely had minimal impact on Oort cloud dynamics

Potential for some small bodies to become observable comets

Abstract

We examined the influence of the Hyades star cluster on the possibility of the appearance of long-period comets in the Solar system. It is known that the Hyades cluster is extended along the spatial orbit on tens of parsecs. To our estimations, 0.85 million years ago, there was a close approach of the cluster to the Sun of 24.8 pc. The approach of one of the cluster stars to the Sun at the minimally known distance of about 6.9 pc was 1.6 million years ago. The main part of the cluster was close to the Sun from 1 to 2 million years ago. Such proximity is not essential for the impact on the dynamics of small bodies in the external part of the Oort cloud, although the view may change after additional study of the cluster structure. Possible orbits perihelion displacements of the small bodies of the outer part of the Oort cloud make some of them in observable comets region.