why do meteors come back?

Question

So there is an article here
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/10/09/science/comet-tsuchinshan-atlas-earth

It speaks about a meteor that will be here in October and not return for 80000 years. I’m just wondering, why do meteors come back?

I assume it takes a lot of force to change the trajectory of a meteor, so wouldn’t it move in the same general direction forever and never come back?

In: Planetary Science

Answer 1

To add to others comments, the orbit is also typically elliptical (one poster mentioned “oval”). Unlike a planetary orbit, where the distance from the sun is generally the same throughout the orbit, a comet or meteor generally has an orbit that is an ellipse, or an oval. In this case, the distance from the sun is much closer at it’s periapsis or perigee (closest point in the orbit) than it’s apoapsis or apogee (furthest point in the orbit). This also means it moves very fast comparatively, perigee vs apogee. Essentially, the sun works like a sling shot, sending the orbiting body much further away after its close proximity with the sun. But, the sun’s mighty gravity brings it back for another pass. Depending on the size of the elliptical orbit, this can be a very long time.