Resonant orbit of 2002 AA29
Asteroid 2002 AA29 is an example of an object in a 1:1 resonant
orbit with Earth. It is said to be "co-orbital" with Earth.
In this integration you can see Earth and the Asteroid apparently very close
and orbiting together. Use Tilt to see that the
asteroid is in a slightly different plane to the Earth and crosses Earth's orbit
such that they come very close.
Speed up the integration and you will notice that the distance between the
asteroid and Earth gets slowly greater with the asteroid leading the Earth. If
you wait long enough the asteroid will get all the way round and approach the
Earth from the other side. BUT IT WILL NOT OVERTAKE! In fact 2002 AA29 will then
slow down and allow the Earth to start moving ahead to a greater and greater
distance. These effects are better seen in the next page.
This integration includes Asteroid 2002 AA29 and all the main
bodies of the Solar System. Earth and 2002 AA29 are shown in their
normal colours while the others are shown faintly.
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