Close Approach of Parisian Comet (1759 III) to Jupiter
Abstract
Comet 1759 III approached Jupiter before the perihelion passage. Using the electronic computer GIER and starting from the parabolic elements, equations of the comet's motion were integrated back by Cowell's methodincluding seven planets (Venus to Neptune) as perturbing bodies. The close approach of the comet to Jupiter occurred on 1758 Nov. 8.4175 E.T., the minimum distance being 0.05446 a.u. Before the approach to Jupiter the comet ran in a hyperbolic orbit. When the comet was about 34 a.u. from the Sun before and after perihelion, the eccentricity of the orbit referred to the centre of gravity of the solar system amounted respectively to 1.01269 and 0.99898. Therefore, it is not excluded that Comet 1759 III coming from interstellar space was caught by Jupiter into the solar system.
- Publication:
-
Acta Astronomica
- Pub Date:
- 1966
- Bibcode:
- 1966AcA....16..197S