Seen from Earth, the Sun, Moon, and planets all move through the ecliptic. More precisely, the ecliptic is the apparent path of the sun between stars for a year. But there are exceptions like comets.

The orbits of long-lived comets carry them beyond the outer planets to Aphelia, where their plane of orbit does not have to lie close to the ecliptic.

Models of solar energy formation suggest that even long-term comets initially formed near eclipses and then expanded into orbits observed by gravitational reactions, mainly with the gas giant planets. However, even when the planets are scattered, the comet needs to remain close to the Aphelion ecliptic, which is far from the Sun. It is hoped that other external forces will clarify the observed distribution.

Gravitational field The Milky Way Galaxy in it Solar System Living has a small but insignificant impact.

Arika Higuchi, an assistant professor at the University of Occupational and Environmental Health in Japan and formerly a member of the NAOJ RISE project, studied the effects of galactic gravity on long-range comets and analyzes the equations that govern orbital motion.

Her study shows that the long-range comet Aphelia collects two planes, galaxy gravity: 1. ecliptic and 2. empty ecliptic.

The ecliptic is tilted 60 degrees relative to the disc of the Milky Way. The empty ecliptic is also tilted 60 degrees but in the opposite direction.

Higuchi, based on his mathematical nomenclature, calls it the “empty ecliptic” because it initially contained no objects, but only scattered comets.

Higuchi performed partial numerical calculations on the PC cluster at NAOJ’s Center for Computational Astrophysics.

The study suggests that the Solar System has a second alignment level. Analytical research into the orbits of long-term comets shows that comets are aphelia, far from them. The sun, Near the known ecliptic level where the planets inhabit, or the newly discovered “empty ecliptic”.

Analysis and computational results compare the data of long-lived comets listed in NASA’s JPL Small-Body Database, predicting that there will be two peaks of distribution, near the ecliptic and empty ecliptic as predicted. This is a strong indication that the formation models are correct and that long-term comets are forming in the ecliptic.

Higuchi warns, The sharp peaks are not exactly in ecliptic or empty ecliptic planes, but near them. Several factors need to be included in the investigation of the distribution of small objects observed. Detailed inspection of the distribution of long-term comets will be our future activity. The All-Sky Survey Project, also known as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), will provide valuable information for this study. ”

Journal Reference:

1. Arika Higuchi. Anisotropy of long-term comets and their formation process, as described in the Journal of Astronomy (2020). DOI: 10.3847 / 1538-3881 / Aba 94 d