Where is Tempel 1?
Note: Make sure you have Java enabled on your browser to see the applet. (And please give it a moment to load!)
Orbit Viewer applet originally written and kindly provided by Osamu Ajiki (AstroArts),
and further modified by Ron Baalke (JPL).
original page
If you'd like to check out the interactive orbital displays for other comets and asteroids, please visit the NEO Program.
Where do I look in the sky?
The above graphic is pretty cool, but how will it tell me where to look?
Be sure to take a look at Reading an Orbital Diagram to get some basic background on interpreting this graphic and what the sliders and other adjustments do.
Fast Forward!So what happens to comet Tempel 1 in the future? Take a look at the orbital diagram for the comet and explore the scenarios! |
Set the date for the middle of the month. Then adjust the sliders so that you are looking at the Solar System from overhead, that Earth is at the "bottom," and the zoom includes Jupiter.
From about May-Aug 2009, Tempel 1 is on the far side of the sun.
For other charts, look on the Star Charts page.