How Big Our Solar System Is In The Universe ?

 The universe we live in is infinitely infinite and constantly expanding. We can’t even imagine it.If we assumed that our universe was the same as Earth’s then our Solar system would be absorbed in a one grain of the sand. But the truth is that even this grain of sand is too big for us.

 If you also think that our solar system is limited to the Pluto(dwarf planet) then it not. Pluto is only 10% of our Solar system. You will be amazed at the vastness of our solar system. Going beyond Pluto is where it all begins.

KUIPER BELT

Pluto is followed by the Kuiper belt. This is 30 AU (astronomical unit) from our sun. This Kuiper belt contains countless asteroids and comets. This belt is also home to dwarf planets like HAUMEA and MAKE MAKE. The Kuiper belt is named after Gerard Kuiper. Comets from the Kuiper belt often come to the sun .This is due to the gravity of Neptune planet .Such comets are called short period comets .Many objects in the Kuiper belt also have their own moons . More than 2000 objects in the Kuiper belt have been catalogued through observations. There are millions of objects floating in this belt. Many of them are up to 100 kilometres long.

Image source-google| image by European Southern Observatory

SCATTERED DISC

This is followed by the start of the Scattered Disc. It has many small ice planets. Which is also called the scattered objects. Its distance from the Sun is approximately 100 AU(astronomical units). Eris (dwarf planet) is in the scattered disc which is more massive than Pluto. But even this is not the limit of our solar system.  

 HELIOSPHERE        

At 123 astronomical unit from the sun our sun forms a Magnetic Bubble around its solar system by throwing itself into its constantly charged particles in space. This is called the Heliosphere. It makes Huge contribution to life on earth. This prevents dangerous cosmic rays from coming to our planet from space. This is very important. 

            

      VOYAGERS

       Next to this is the voyager1 space probe sent by N.A.S.A. which is constantly travelling in space. Voyager 1 and voyager2 was launched in 1977.and it is still working properly .It has reached 148 AU away from us, and it is travelling in space at the speed of 56000 km/h. But despite this speed it will take 80 thousand years to reach the nearest star system Proxima Centauri .But the year of 2025,its radioisotope thermoelectric generator will be completely shut down.   

   OORT CLOUD 

       First our scientist do not completely agree on the existence of the OORT CLOUD .Because it can not be seen with the telescope .Scientist believes that oort cloud can range  from 5000 AU to 100000 AU .This oort cloud can be home to many comets and icy bodies. Which can counted in billions. Comets from the Oort cloud sometimes comes to the SUN. This is how the sun’s gravity reaches the Oort cloud .According to one estimate; the effect of our sun can be up to about 3.2 light years. We still have a lot to learn about our own Solar System.

Image source-google| image by Pablo Carlos Budassi