Perturbation (astronomy)
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Perturbation is a term used in astronomy to describe alterations to an object's orbit caused by gravitational interactions with bodies external to the system formed by the object and its parent body (for example, a star and its planet, or a planet and its satellite). In the Solar System the orbits of comets are often perturbed, particularly by the gravitational fields of the gas giants. In April 1996, Jupiter's gravitational influence caused the period of Comet Hale-Bopp's orbit to decrease from 4,206 to 2,380 years.[1]
Planets also perturb the orbits of other planets, a fact which led to the discovery of Neptune as a result of its perturbations of the orbit of Uranus.
On going perturbations of the planets cause small variations in the Kepler orbits. Venus currently has the most circular orbit of the planets, but in 25,000 years Earth will have a more circular (less eccentric) orbit than Venus.
Other natural causes include other comets, asteroids, and solar flares.
In astrodynamics and the case of man-made satellites, orbital perturbation may be a consequence of atmospheric drag or solar radiation pressure.
[edit] See also
- Nereid one of the outer moons of Neptune with a high orbital eccentricity of ~0.75 and is frequently perturbed
- Osculating orbit
[edit] References
- ^ Don Yeomans (1997-04-10). "Comet Hale-Bopp Orbit and Ephemeris Information". JPL/NASA. http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/comet/ephemjpl8.html. Retrieved on 2008-10-23.
[edit] External links
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