Review of studies on capture of comets by neptune and its role in the dynamic evolution of cometary orbits

Abstract

AbstractA historical review of investigations on encounters of minor bodies with outer planets is presented. The dominating role of Jupiter in the capture of comets and in determining their secular evolution is emphasized. Participation in the above process of Saturn, Uranus and, especially, Neptune is investigated. In the present paper are considered five fictitious comets, penetrating into the depths of Neptune’s sphere of action, where they undergo large orbital transformations and capture by Neptune. Two near-circular orbits are transformed into elliptical ones, their perihelia being moved inside the planetary system; one hyperbolic orbit is transformed into a transplutonian one, another into a typical short-period orbit of the Neptune’s family with a perihelion accessible to terrestrial observers. One fictitious comet is captured by Neptune as a stable satellite.