Formation and extent of the solar system comet cloud

The formation of the solar system comet cloud and its subsequent evolution over an interval equal to the age of the solar system are simulated. Assuming that the comets formed in the outer planetary region, it is shown that the formation of the current comet cloud was driven mainly by an interaction between planetary perturbations and torquing due to Galactic tides. An inner edge to the cloud is found at about 3000 AU, the radius where the timescales for the two processes are comparable. Results suggest that the flux of comets into the inner solar system during a comet shower initiated by the close passage of a passing star may be up to 20 times higher than the steady state rate. 23 references