On the Distribution of Major-Axes of Long-Period Comets
Open Access
- 1 March 1968
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Vol. 139 (2) , 225-230
- https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/139.2.225
Abstract
The changes of value of the binding-energy for long-period comets through planetary action are such that the values of 1/ a for their initial approach to the Sun cannot be known. As the present values are to a less extent also subject to error a plot of numbers of comets in successive small intervals of 1/ a can reveal nothing concerning their origin. Even were such a plot accurately obtainable it can be proved that no distribution exists possessing a maximum at some value of 1/ a that converts into a distribution having a maximum at the corresponding value of a itself. These two considerations remove any basis for the claim that there exists a shell of comets at great distance from the Sun. A plot of numbers of comets against a exhibits no evidence of any congestion of aphelion-points at such distances.Keywords
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