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Author Topic: Comet ISON Simulation Download - Two comets come close to Mars  (Read 4770 times)

APODman

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Comet ISON Simulation Download - Two comets come close to Mars
« on: September 28, 2013, 05:45:08 PM »
Simulation with the two comets that "soon" will take a close approach with the planet Mars: C/2012 S1 ISON and C/2013 A1 Siding Spring.

Planetary and cometary data from JPL Horizons.


Regards
Carlos Bella
« Last Edit: October 02, 2013, 06:15:34 PM by Dan Dixon »

Dan Dixon

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Re: Two comets come close to Mars
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2013, 04:19:05 PM »
Great... just checked this out. This is a simulation I've been meaning to create myself.

This simulation is a great example of one where you'll want to use the more accurate simulation mode since the comet's path is very elliptical.

Click on the gear icon ('Show Options' on the left side) and click the 2nd icon next to Accuracy Mode.

To speed up time and keep the time step low enough... switch to auto time step mode by pressing 'A' on your keyboard.

APODman

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Re: Two comets come close to Mars
« Reply #2 on: October 02, 2013, 01:44:09 PM »
Thanks Dan !!

And it´s impressive how using a slow timestep (<40seconds) and Accuracy Mode function, the ISON close approach with Sun turns much more precise !!!

I did another simulation entering the Mars Express in orbit around Mars to see if the comet Siding Spring will really offer risk to this probe (and anothers that are in orbit of Mars) in the close approach with red planet in October of 2014.

All data from JPL Horizons.

Dan Dixon

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Re: Comet ISON Simulation Download - Two comets come close to Mars
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2013, 06:17:55 PM »
These simulations will be even cooler in the sequel to Universe Sandbox... Did someone say simulated comet trails (including both the ionized gas trail and the light debris trail)?

Jupiter

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Re: Comet ISON Simulation Download - Two comets come close to Mars
« Reply #4 on: October 03, 2013, 06:33:33 PM »
Dan, if the comet hits a habitual planet will the planet generates some water?