Interstellar objects and exocomets

Alan Fitzsimmons, Karen J. Meech, Luca Matrà, Susanne Pfalzner

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Abstract

In this chapter we review our knowledge of our galaxy's cometary population outside our Oort Cloud - exocomets and Interstellar Objects (ISOs). We start with a brief overview of planetary system formation, viewed as a general process around stars. We then take a more detailed look at the creation and structure of exocometary belts, as revealed by the unprecedented combination of theoretical and observational advances in recent years. The existence and characteristics of individual exocomets orbiting other stars is summarized, before looking at the mechanisms by which they may be ejected into interstellar space. The discovery of the first two ISOs is then described, along with the surprising differences in their observed characteristics. We end by looking ahead to what advances may take place in the next decade.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationComets III
EditorsKaren J. Meech, Michael R. Combi, Dominique Bockelée-Morvan, Sean N. Raymond, Michael Zolensky
PublisherUniversity of Arizona Press
ISBN (Electronic)9780816553648
ISBN (Print)9780816553631
Publication statusAccepted - 31 Mar 2023

Publication series

NameThe University of Arizona Space Science Series

Keywords

  • astro-ph.EP
  • astro-ph.GA

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