What fundamentally defines the boundary and existence of our Solar System?
Answer
Gravitational dominance of the Sun
The fundamental definition of a solar system rests entirely on the gravitational sphere of influence exerted by its primary star, in this case, the Sun. If another star entered this region—the area primarily controlled by the Sun's gravity—it would significantly perturb the stable orbits of the existing planets, including Earth. This gravitational control dictates what constitutes 'our system,' extending far beyond the planets to encompass structures like the Oort cloud.
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