3D Display of Cometary Orbit

Using JAVA

Japanese

• This page displays a 3D view of the orbit of a comet together with the orbit of the earth, and the sun (the sun at rest).
• The orbit of the comet is specified by the six parameters. Enter [Return] key just after each numerical setting. The parameters for Comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995O1) is initially loaded as an example. The orbit part within 2AU from the sun is displayed.

• Drag mouse near the figure, to rotate the sight.

• The positions on the orbits in every 20 day are shown by tics. The tics at the near side to the sun is for the comet's pre-perihelion period, and far side to the sun for the post-perihelion period. The position at the perihelion date is shown by a crossing tic for each of the comet and the earth.
• Enter the T with a format YYYYMMDD.Dfrac. (19970401.25 for 6:00UT, Apr.1, 1997)
• Orbits of some interesting comets are obtained here and there and at this place.