Article: <5fspgd$7hh@dfw-ixnews10.ix.netcom.com>
From: saquo@ix.netcom.com(Nancy )
Subject: Re: LONG ELLIPSE ORBITS
Date: 8 Mar 1997 22:33:49 GMT
In article <5fqb26$tce@news.ccit.arizona.edu> Jim Scotti
writes:
>> (Begin ZetaTalk[TM])
>> We have here Jim Scotti saying that an object like the
>> probes moves IN AN ESSENTIALLY STRAIGHT LINE
>> OUT OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM. Now, Jim, given your
>> experience with probes, do they turn around way out
there
>> in space or do they just keep going?
>> (End ZetaTalk[TM])
>
> Hyperbolic trajectories carry an object clear away from the
> object it is still orbiting and does not return. Elliptical
orbits,
> on the other hand are closed and the object comes back -
like
> the planets, moons, asteroids, and comets that we see on
> elliptical orbits.
> jscotti@LPL.Arizona.EDU (Jim Scotti)
(Begin ZetaTalk[TM])
Ah, you think you've slipped out of this one, but not so. Your
probes don't return because you CONSIDER them to be on what you
term a hyperbolic orbit. Long period comets return because you
CONSIDER them to be on what you term long elliptical orbits.
However, their exit looks the same, is mapped mathematically the
same from the focus they are leaving until you lose sight of
them, and in fact until a new comet rounds the Sun and gives
evidence of what you term its eccentricity, YOU DON'T KNOW if
you're going to be calling it a hyperbolic, parabolic, or
whateverbolic comet.
Is this not true?
That said, why would a comet or probe on a hyperbolic orbit be
any different from a comet you expect to return? WHAT EXACTLY is
it that causes the returning comet to curve sideways out in
space? The curve on BOTH is the same as they are leaving the
Solar System. It is the eccentricity that is different.
(End ZetaTalk[TM])