HYPOTHETICAL PLANET IN THE ASTEROID BELT: AN UNDERGRADUATE EXERCISE IN CELESTIAL MECHANICS
JUDHISTIRA ARIA UTAMA (a*), LALA SEPTEM RIZA (b), TAUFIQ HIDAYAT (c)

a) Department of Physics Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Jalan Dr. Setiabudhi 229, Bandung 40154, Indonesia
* j.aria.utama[at]upi.edu
b) Department of Computer Science Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Jalan Dr. Setiabudhi 229, Bandung 40154, Indonesia
c) Astronomy Research Division, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jalan Ganesha 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia

Abstract

This paper presents a computational laboratory activity as a mini research project in the celestial mechanics course for undergraduate students. Utilizing the ORBE (ORBit Evolution) orbital integrator package to solve the 2nd order differential equation in the N-body problem, we have exemplified the orbits evolution of the Solar System over the next 100 mega years (My) into the future since epoch JD2459000.0 to investigate the effect of the presence and absence of hypothetical planet resides in Asteroid Belt to the orbit of the Earth. Computation results are compared then to assess the orbits evolution experienced by the Earth in relation to the planet^s ability to support life.

Keywords: Celestial Mechanics- ORBE- Habitable Planet

Topic: Physics