What measurement generally defines the starting distance of the Kuiper Belt from the Sun?
Answer
The orbital distance of Neptune, which is roughly 30 Astronomical Units (AU).
The Kuiper Belt is geographically situated immediately beyond the orbit of the solar system's outermost major planet, Neptune. To define the inner edge of this region, scientists use Neptune's orbital distance as the reference point. This distance is approximately 30 Astronomical Units (AU) from the Sun. This threshold marks where the environment transitions significantly, allowing the preservation of vast quantities of ices and primitive solar system material that characterize the trans-Neptunian realm.
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