image2_1024x1024 (IMAGE) SETI Institute Caption Three phases in the evolution of the outer solar system. (A) At the time of pebble collapse into comets, pointing to the likely origin region of asteroids (AST), Jupiter-family comets (JFC) and long-period comets (LPC); (B) At the time when Neptune scattered comets into a Scattered Disk of the Kuiper Belt; (C) After the Sun had left the birth star cluster and a planet instability created the outer Oort Cloud. Credit Jenniskens et al. (2024) Icarus Usage Restrictions With credit License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.