Comets

MegaTrain · #1 January 24th, 2002, 09:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Growltigga:
not sure this is striclty correct, the rotational period of an orbital body depends on too many variants to generalise

<everybody reaches for their boys' book of astronomical information>

Not really: The gravitational attraction is determined by the mass of the 2 objects (the sun/star and the comet) and the distance between them, and the only other relevant information would be the current speed/direction of the comet. I don't have the formulas in front of me, but that should be enough to determine the orbit/period.

The only thing special about a comet is that it tends to be a fairly small (low mass) object, it tends to have an extremely elliptical orbit (as opposed to nearly circular like Earth's), and it puts out a cool trail when it comes near the sun so it's easy to see. The formulas should all work the same for planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and even manmade sattelites.

Suicide Junkie · #2 January 24th, 2002, 09:52 PM

I simply assumed he was referring to the influence of planets & whatnot
but the effect is small, and the actual orbit is beside the point, the period is long, or else.
or else what?
exactly.

Gaurav · #3 January 25th, 2002, 05:21 AM

quote:
Originally posted by suicide_junkie:
Just download the Gold Demo, and see for yourself.

Did you even read my Last post?

I downloaded the demo and found no comets

[ 25 January 2002: Message edited by: Gaurav ]

Suicide Junkie · #4 January 25th, 2002, 05:50 AM

Actually, I did.
I got distracted by replying to GT, and went straight back to the main page after that...
Sorry.

Andr�s · #5 January 25th, 2002, 06:11 AM

Asking for planets actually moving around their orbits and being in different coordinates every turn woud be too much?
Comets would just move faster and in a more eliptical orbit exiting and re-entering the system area.

Mephisto · #6 January 25th, 2002, 12:16 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Growltigga:
BTW did you see me at the airport the other day? I was the green belching one standing the corner with the dumb redhead holding the sign saying "Get out of my swamp"
Hard to miss really[/QB]

LOL!!! Sure I did see you! Didn't you see me? I was building a wall around my part of the swamp. I would think, of all people, you would recognize a wall when you see one.

Growltigga · #7 January 25th, 2002, 12:49 PM

quote:
Originally posted by [K126]Mephisto:

LOL!!! Sure I did see you! Didn't you see me? I was building a wall around my part of the swamp. I would think, of all people, you would recognize a wall when you see one.

LOL back!!!! oh yeah, I remember you, you were that scruffy gray one with the very short legs, big ears and huge teeth who sounded like Eddy Murphy - I remember you and all I have to say is 'get out of my swamp donkey'