The shape of the orbits of comets can be elliptical or parabolic. The first scientist to observe comets and study their behavior was Halley.
By means of his mathematical calculations, it determined that the periodic orbits and the eccentric ellipses are part of the characteristics of the movement of a comet.
Comets are masses that are generated in a region called the Oort Cloud. This place is composed of matter that, due to the distance of the sun, never could integrate to the planetary formation.
Its movement is due to the gravitational interaction with the sun and various celestial bodies of the solar system.
Orbits of comets
Comets are in constant motion. This is produced by the direct action of a gravitational field, generating a displacement in these masses.
The orbits are made around another body, which exerts the central force that keeps it describing this path constantly.
Elliptical orbits
Previously, it was believed that planets and comets described a circular orbit. When Johannes Kepler made precise observations, determined that the orbits could describe elliptical trajectories.
As a result of these observations, three laws about planetary behavior were generated.
Isaac Newton was another observer of the behavior of the celestial bodies, determining that the mass of the bodies can directly influence the generated gravitational field.
The larger a celestial body, the greater the effect it will generate on other bodies in its gravitational field.
The central body or star is located in one of the foci of the ellipse. It has the characteristic that its specific energy is equal to zero.
Changes of direction
In our solar system, all comets are directly affected by a gravitational focus, Sun .
This generates a gravitational interaction with all the particles of the system, attracting the kites towards its center. The trajectory described by bodies under this influence is parabolic.
The trajectory of the comments can vary suddenly when moving very close to a planet, being affected by its gravitational field.
This phenomenon can generate the transformation of a parabolic orbit into a closed elliptical.
How does one work? orbit
There are two determining points during the orbit path around a body, which affect the speed of the body.
Periastro
It is the point where the distance is shorter between comet and the body that generates the gravitational field. At this point the speed of the body increases.
The apoastro
During the orbit, it is the furthest point from the body that generates the gravitational field. At this point, the speed of the body decreases.
How does one work? orbit
The initial movement is oblique. The gravitational force attracts the body, which tries to keep its displacement in a straight line, generating a constant curve.
References
- "Orbit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." en.wikipedia.org . Consulted on September 16, 2017.
- "What is an orbit? - Astronomy - Deep Space."8 Dec. 2005, Spacecraft.com . Consulted on September 16, 2017.
- "Comet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." en.wikipedia.org . Consulted on September 16, 2017.
- "NASA - The Comets."Nov 30, 2011, nasa.gov . Consulted on September 16, 2017.
- "Everything about the Solar System - Comets." All rights reserved. . Consulted on September 16, 2017.