Dynamics and Origin of Comets: New Problems Appeared after the Rosetta Space Mission

TL;DR

The Rosetta mission significantly advanced understanding of comet 67P's physical properties and dynamical origins, revealing new challenges in modeling comet formation and evolution.

Contribution

This paper reviews how Rosetta's data has introduced new problems and perspectives in the study of comet dynamics and origins.

Findings

Revised physical models of comets based on Rosetta data

Identification of new dynamical problems in comet origin theories

Insights into the formation processes of cometary populations

Abstract

The data obtained in the recent Rosetta space mission to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko have had a profound impact on the understanding of the nature of comets. In addition to revising the notions on the physical properties and structure of comets, this addresses dynamical aspects of the formation of the observed cometary populations (short- and long-period comets, Centaurs, trans-Neptunian objects, and Oort-cloud objects). In the review, we discuss new problems that have appeared in the theory of dynamical evolution and origin of comets due to the Rosetta mission.