Kuiper belt

The Kuiper belt /ˈkjuːɪpər/ or /ˈkaɪpər/, sometimes called the Edgeworth–Kuiper belt, is a region of the Solar System (Sol System ) beyond the planets, extending from the orbit of Neptune (at 30 AU) to approximately 50 AU from the Sun.[1] It is similar to the asteroid belt, but it is far larger—20 times as wide and 20 to 200 times as massive.[2][3] Like the asteroid belt, it consists mainly of small bodies, or remnants from the Solar System's formation. While most asteroids are composed primarily of rock and metal, most Kuiper belt objects are composed largely of frozen volatiles (termed "ices"), such as methane, ammonia and water. The classical belt is home to at least three dwarf planets: Pluto, Haumea, and Makemake. Some of the Solar System's moons, such as Neptune's Triton and Saturn's Phoebe, are also believed to have originated in the region.[4][5]

Since the belt was discovered in 1992, the number of known Kuiper belt objects (KBOs) has increased to over 100,000 KBOs with over 100 km (62 mi) in diameter.

The Kuiper belt was initially thought to be the main repository for periodic comets, those with orbits lasting less than 200 years. However, studies since the mid-1990s have shown that the classical belt is dynamically stable, and that comets' true place of origin is the scattered disc, a dynamically active zone created by the outward motion of Neptune 4.5 billion years ago;scattered disc objects such as Eris have extremely eccentric orbits that take them as far as 100 AU from the Sun.[nb 1]

The Kuiper belt should not be confused with the Oort cloud, which is a thousand times more distant. The objects within the Kuiper belt, together with the members of the scattered disc and the Oort cloud objects, are collectively referred to as trans-Neptunian objects (TNO s).

Pluto is the largest member of the Kuiper belt, and one of the two largest known TNOs, together with scattered disc object Eris.

The Kuiper Belt is an active and vibrant region with many communities, privately and corporate owned TNO Objects, as well as many Mining Companies operating Mining companies, Crusher and Harvest Ships, collecting even the smallest objects.

Over 20 Million Individuals call the Kuiper Belt their permanent home and are collectively represented at the Assembly by "The Kuiper Man " (Office and title of an elected official)