See Also: Oort(dictionary)
Oort cloud(encyclopedia)

Oort (iou)



Oort noun. M20.
[Jan Hendick Oort (1900-92), Dutch astronomer.]
Astronomy.
Oort constant, Oort's constant, either of two constants in an equation relating the radial velocity of a star in the Galaxy to its distance from the sun. M20.
Oort cloud, Oort comet cloud, Oort's cloud, Oort's comet cloud, a cloud of small bodies postulated to orbit the sun well beyond the orbit of Pluto and act as a reservoir of comets. M20.