What theoretical risk does a passing rogue star pose to the inner solar system?
Answer
Gravitational perturbation of the Oort cloud
While the probability of a direct collision between a rogue star and the Sun is virtually zero due to the immense scale of interstellar space, a passing star could still exert a disruptive influence. If a rogue star were to pass through the Oort cloud, which is the distant region containing icy bodies surrounding our solar system, its gravity could disturb the orbits of these objects. Such a perturbation could potentially redirect a shower of comets toward the inner solar system, creating a long-term risk for planetary environments.
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