3 ms·

While the Sun's radiation extends up to 100au or so, its gravitational influence goes to over 100K au (2 light years). In this deep freezing wasteland we may fi

• JonnieCache 16y ago
  The oort cloud is supposed to lie in that range, and it is speculated to contain several trillion objects. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oort_cloud http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oort_cloud
• zeynel1 16y ago
  Sun's gravitational influence goes to over 100K au (2 light years) What does sun’s “gravitational influence” mean? Probably you mean “Sun’s Newtonian’s gravity holds the satellite in orbit and also makes it move; as prescribed by Newton’s laws.” This cannot be right. Because according to the official physics derivation of the satellite equation as explained here for instance http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/circles/u6l4c.cfm http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/circles/u6l4c.cfm orbits are independent of the mass of the satellite; in other words, orbit equation does not include a term for the satellite. As far as orbits are concerned, the mass of the satellite does not enter the equations. Unless you believe in the occult and you blindly uphold Newton’s authority; the equation itself says that orbit is independent of any kind of Newtonian occult. Whatever putative gravitational influence the sun may have according to Newtonian doctrine, that influence does not extend to the satellite at any distance.