With some Googling, I found a simple formula. Assuming an ideal elliptical orbit, the distance at perihelion is v2/2g, where v = velocity at aphelion and g is the gravitational acceleration there. For this distance to be the radius of the Sun, we get v=1r√2GMR, where G = gravitational constant, M = mass of Sun, R = radius of Sun.
At r = 10000 AUs, this is 0.27 metres per second. At 100,000 AUs, 0.027 m/s — or 1 inch per second. Despite the Sun’s attraction, it’s still a small target at that distance.
Yes, ChatGPT said me that most Sun-grazer comets are interacting with Jupiter first and and only several cycles of interaction the comet has a chance to hit Sun. This is a good news as there will be less silent killers.
With some Googling, I found a simple formula. Assuming an ideal elliptical orbit, the distance at perihelion is v2/2g, where v = velocity at aphelion and g is the gravitational acceleration there. For this distance to be the radius of the Sun, we get v=1r√2GMR, where G = gravitational constant, M = mass of Sun, R = radius of Sun.
At r = 10000 AUs, this is 0.27 metres per second. At 100,000 AUs, 0.027 m/s — or 1 inch per second. Despite the Sun’s attraction, it’s still a small target at that distance.
Yes, ChatGPT said me that most Sun-grazer comets are interacting with Jupiter first and and only several cycles of interaction the comet has a chance to hit Sun. This is a good news as there will be less silent killers.