| Re: What will happen to Comet Holmes?
Hi Sometimes. You are correct that the emissions from Comet Holmes would push it into a new orbit ( Newtons first Law, ' To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction'.)
But consider. The Corona formed around Holmes is spherical. It is therefore reasonable to assume there are emissions from all around the Comet, and any acting in opposing directions will cancel each other out. Only the excess energy will remain to affect the orbit, and the forces produced by sublimation (the conversion of ice into gas) are very small indeed in the first place. Certainly nothing like like enough to overcome the forces holding in it's present orbit
The force required to push Comet Holmes into an orbital collision with Earth is far in excess of that available.
Even if it were possible, you still have the minor problem of hitting a moving bullseye at 400,000,000 miles away whilst you are moving in a different direction at the same time.
Is it possible ?? Well, I suppose it might be if you have a very vivid imagination, but you have far more chance of winning the lottery.  |