Cometary dynamics

Abstract

We present a review of cometary dynamics focusing on the long-term evolutions of cometary orbits that are responsible for the transfer of comets between different parts of the Solar System. The underlying mechanisms are described with particular emphasis on planetary perturbations. In order to place the dynamical theory into its proper context, we also discuss the distribution of observed cometary orbits and how this is affected by discovery biases. We end the review by a preliminary discussion of two current problems dealing with cometary dynamics: the formation and evolution of the scattered disk and the Oort Cloud and the capture of comets into short-period orbits. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.