AstroGrav Help /Sample Simulations /Solar System /Comets /73P (Schwassmann-Wachmann 3)Version 5.2.1

73P (Schwassmann-Wachmann 3)

This simulation shows 69 fragments of comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, which is described in the Wikipedia article at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/73P/Schwassmann–Wachmann

You can run the simulation backward to see how most of the fragments come together in 2006, which is when most of the fragmentation occurred. Alternatively, you can run the simulation forward to see how the fragments continue to disperse with the passage of time. Close encounters with Jupiter are responsible for most of the changes to the fragments' orbits. Since different computers run at different speeds, you may need to edit the evolution time step to get the simulation to run at an acceptable rate.