Wandering on a leash
Article Abstract:
Asteroid 522 Helga may have an orbit that provides another example of stable chaotic motion because its chaotic motion is confined to one asteroid belt region. Although describing something as simultaneously stable and chaotic seems contradictory in everyday language, such a combination is quite feasible in many dynamical systems including celestial mechanics. A new numerical analysis by Andrea Milani and Anna M. Nobili indicates that 522 Helga's orbit has two novel characteristics: the high rate of divergence and location of the stable chaos. Examples of chaotic motion probably abound in the Solar System.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Seasoned travellers
Article Abstract:
J. Laskar and associates have studied the evolution of planetary rotation and posit that the terrestrial planets' obliquities evolve chaotically during some period of their evolution. A planet's obliquity determines its seasonal variation and is therefore is essential to the understanding of its climatic changes. Mars' continuing obliquity changes are chaotic and have made profound changes in its climate. The moon has prevented the Earth from having such chaotic changes.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1993
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
The Earth's secret companion
Article Abstract:
Asteroid 3753 is some 5 km across and is a companion to the Earth in its orbit around the Sun. The asteroid, which follows an overlapping horseshoe orbit with respect to the Earth, is probably a temporary companion and a collision is unlikely in the foreseeable future. While not following the same orbit as the Earth, the asteroid is greatly influenced by the planet's gravitational pull.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Mixing Mala. The wopilkara's return. Banded hare-wallaby
- Abstracts: Ageing and the mystery at Arles. The future of ageing. Oxidants, oxidative stress and the biology of ageing
- Abstracts: DNA fingerprinting on trial. Judge backs technique. Science ahead of the law
- Abstracts: Luteinizing hormone and testosterone response of sexually active and inactive rams. Circulating concentrations and pattern of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone in circulation are changed by the circulating concentration of 17beta-estradiol in the bovine male and female
- Abstracts: Practical Schrodinger's cats. Discrete charm of the photon. Where the weirdness comes from