AstroGrav Help /Sample Simulations /Solar System 2 /Comet OtermaVersion 4.1.1

Comet Oterma

Introduction

This simulation shows Comet 39P/Oterma, which has been calculated to have several close encounters with Jupiter and Saturn. These close encounters are as follows.

Jupiter - 27th October 1937 at a distance of 0.165 AU.
Jupiter - 12th April 1963 at a distance of 0.095 AU.
Saturn - 3rd June 2011 at a distance of 1.01 AU.
Jupiter - 12th July 2023 at a distance of 1.17 AU.
Jupiter - 15th January 2025 at a distance of 0.89 AU.

The simulation also contains the Sun, together with all known planets.

What you can do with it

If you run the simulation forward, you can watch the comet having close encounters with Saturn in 2011 and with Jupiter in 2023 and 2025.

If you run the simulation backward, you can watch the comet having close encounters with Jupiter in 1963 and 1937.

Ideas for further investigation

You can find out more from the following website:

http://cometography.com/pcomets/039p.html