Dynamical Population of Comet Reservoirs

TL;DR

This review discusses the formation, properties, and observational constraints of the Oort cloud and scattered disk, highlighting the influence of planetary evolution and galactic environment on these comet reservoirs.

Contribution

It synthesizes current knowledge on comet reservoirs, emphasizing the role of planetary and galactic dynamics in their formation and evolution.

Findings

Approximately 5% of the early planetesimal disk was captured into the Oort cloud.

The Sun's birth environment significantly affects the structure of the Oort cloud.

Upcoming observations are expected to shed light on the properties of comet reservoirs.

Abstract

The Oort cloud and the scattered disk are the two primary reservoirs for long-period and short-period comets, respectively. In this review, we assess the known observational constraints on these reservoirs' properties and their formation. In addition, we discuss how the early orbital evolution of the giant planets generated the modern scattered disk from the early, massive planetesimal disk and how $\sim$5\% of this material was captured into the Oort cloud. We review how the Sun's birth environment and dynamical history within the Milky Way alters the formation and modern structure of the Oort cloud. Finally, we assess how the coming decade's anticipated observing campaigns may provide new insights into the formation and properties of the Oort cloud and scattered disk.