Which distance approximately marks the outer boundary of the Oort Cloud relative to the Sun?
Answer
Up to 100,000 or 200,000 AU
The Oort Cloud extends incredibly far from the Sun, marking the true edge of the solar system's gravitational domain before interstellar space begins to dominate. Its outer reaches are estimated to extend to distances as far as 100,000 or even 200,000 AU from the central star. To put this enormous scale into perspective, $100,000 ext{ AU}$ is roughly equivalent to $1.6$ light-years. This distance places the cloud's furthest extent near the interface where the Sun's gravitational influence yields to the gravity of other stars in the Milky Way galaxy, signifying its role as the outermost boundary.
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