Astronomy & Space vocabulary · Solar System & Planets
Kuiper Belt
Meaning in astronomy & space, with examples
/ˈkaɪpər ˌbelt/nounAdvanced term
In astronomy & space, Kuiper Belt means: A wide ring of icy bodies beyond the orbit of Neptune, about 30 to 50 AU from the Sun. Pluto and other dwarf planets orbit there, and many short-period comets come from it.
In Turkish: Kuiper Kuşağı
How it is used
Objects there are called Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) or trans-Neptunian objects. The New Horizons probe flew past one of them, Arrokoth, in 2019. It should not be confused with the much more distant Oort Cloud.
Example sentences
Pluto is the best-known object in the Kuiper Belt.
Many short-period comets began their journey in the Kuiper Belt.
Common collocations
Kuiper Belt object
in the Kuiper Belt
beyond the Kuiper Belt
Related terms
dwarf planetA round object that orbits the Sun but has not cleared other objects from its orbit. Pluto, Ceres and Eris are well-known examples.
cometA small icy body that orbits the Sun. When it comes close to the Sun, its ice turns to gas and forms a glowing cloud and often long tails.
asteroid beltThe region between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter where most of the solar system's asteroids orbit the Sun.
solar systemThe Sun and everything that orbits it: eight planets and their moons, dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, dust and gas.
flybyA manoeuvre in which a spacecraft passes close to a planet, moon or other body to study it or use its gravity, without going into orbit or landing.
