Kuiper belt
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: Kuiper Belt
Etymology
Named after the astronomer Gerard Kuiper (1905-1973); and belt.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈkaɪ.pə(ɹ).bɛlt/, IPA(key): /ˈkʌɪpə bɛlt/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈkaɪ.pɚ.bɛlt/
- Hyphenation: Kui‧per belt
Note: “Kuiper” is a Dutch surname and may also be pronounced in the Dutch manner. Gerard Kuiper himself lived in the U.S. and used the American pronunciation above. The Dutch word kuiper and the English word cooper have the same etymology and meaning, so that's another possibility.
Proper noun
- (astronomy) A region of space between 30 and 50 astronomical units from the Sun, roughly confined within a thick band around the ecliptic of the Solar System. This area is populated by many thousands of trans-Neptunian objects.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Derived terms
Related terms
- Kuiper Belt environment
- Kuiper belt object / Kuiper Belt object
Translations
region of space in the Solar System
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Noun
Kuiper belt (plural Kuiper belts)
- (astronomy) A type of asteroid belt, expected to exist in the outer regions of planetary systems, that forms an annular belt or disc around the system's center, lies beyond the region of major-planet formation, and at its outer extent may reach the inner region of an Oort cloud.
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
- Kuiper disc / Kuiper disk
References
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