How big is the Solar System?

Factual Questions
1

Does it end at the Kuiper Belt? The Oort Cloud? The Heliopause? Is there a “commonly accepted” definition?

2

I think the generally accepted limit is the heliopause. The opperative word being solar. The end of the sun’s infuence is a good measure of where its system ends.

—CoffeeGuy

3

The heliopause is the end of the sun’s radiant influence, perhaps, but the Oort cloud is gravitationally influenced by the sun.

4

So…does that mean a conflicting view on where the Solar System ends? Or is that just a clarification of which “influence” we’re talking about? And now that it’s been brought up – does the Oort Cloud lie at the outer reaches of the Sun’s gravitational influence? Or does that gravity extend out farther?

5

Well, technically, the sun’s gravitational influence extends out forever. All particles in the universe interact gravitationally with all other particles.

The sphere of influence of a body is roughly defined as the region in which the effect it has on other, smaller bodies is the predominant force. A body in orbit around Alpha Centauri is gravitationally influenced by our sun, but the effect is negligible when compared to the nearer star.

6

Here’s a good recent news article on the subject. It’s of importance right bow because Voyager 1 is now at the Heliopause.

Voyager Leaves the Solar System

7

Due credit must be given to Mr. Python