AstroGrav Help /Sample Simulations /Solar System /CometsVersion 5.1

Comets

Comets contains simulations of comets which are in some way interesting or unusual, particularly those whose orbits are significantly changed by the gravitational influence of Jupiter and the other planets.

1P (Halley) illustrates the changes in the orbit of Halley's Comet over the centuries.
2P (Encke) illustrates the long-term fate of Comet 2P/Encke, which is highlighted in the table to make it easier to watch the changing orbital elements.
39P (Oterma) shows Comet 39P (Oterma), which has been calculated to have several close encounters with Jupiter and Saturn in both the past and the future.
73P (Schwassmann-Wachmann 3) shows 69 fragments of comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3.
82P (Gehrels 3) shows Comet 82P (Gehrels 3), which had a close encounter with Jupiter in 1970 that dramatically changed its orbit.
103P (Hartley 2) shows Comet 103P (Hartley 2), which had close encounters with Jupiter in 1947 and 1971 that dramatically changed its orbit.
209P (LINEAR) illustrates the changing orbit of Comet 209P (LINEAR) between the years AD 1700 and AD 2100.
All Comets shows all known comets.
C_2012 S1 (ISON) shows the path of Comet ISON (C/2012 S1) amongst the stars and constellations as seen from the Earth in late 2013 and early 2014.
February Hydrids shows how meteoroids that are strung out along an elliptical orbit evolve to have different orbits as a result of the gravitational influence of Jupiter and the other planets.
Shoemaker-Levy 9 shows the well-known collision of Comet D/1993 F2 (Shoemaker-Levy 9) with the planet Jupiter.