The Transformation of Centaurs into Jupiter-family Comets

Abstract

Centaurs are an ephemeral class of objects that can evolve into Jupiter-family comets (or JFCs) due to gravitational perturbations from the giant planets. In this work, we use numerical integration of massless test particles in the six-body problem (the Sun, four giant planets, and a test particle) to study the transformation of Centaurs into JFCs. We find that Centaurs can transform into JFCs via a rapid, continuous drop in perihelion or aphelion distance to a value below 5.2 au or 7 au, respectively, typically within 5 yr from the start of the drop. We call these JFC perihelion drops and JFC aphelion drops, respectively. These drops are correlated with close approaches to Jupiter. For such perihelion and aphelion drops, the maximum possible fractional change in the associated perihelion or aphelion distance increases with decreasing close-approach distance to Jupiter. A perihelion barrier may exist at 6.3 au. If so, then it must be crossed from above in order for a Centaur to transform into a JFC due to a single close approach to Jupiter. Currently, 93 (or 11%) of the known Centaurs have a perihelion distance, q, below 6.3 au. If the inclination of the orbit of the Centaur to the ecliptic plane is above 10.°2, then orbits with q > 6.3 au and 2 < T J < 3 can exist, where T J is the Tisserand parameter with respect to Jupiter. Small bodies in such orbits could be classified as either Centaurs or JFCs.