<p>It looks like the model is a simulation of what happens if a massive object flies by a very narrow ring system type of thing with a circular orbit.   The ring system setup seems improbable to me, and the massive object doesn't appear to fly in a straight line, so it's not very accurate for two reasons, but the gravitational effect seems accurate.    If a massive body was to fly into the solar system and pass near Earth it could send the Earth out of the solar system or in towards the sun.   </p>

<p>Fortunately, bodies that massive almost never fly inside the solar system, so that scenario is unlikely to happen over the lifetime of the sun.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-28T11:43:29.633Z
What program are they using? I think this was leaked since I was not able to find the source but maybe if I can find who uses this program.
Muze
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-28T12:38:09.860Z
see [comment](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/29790/can-earth-be-ejected-out-of-the-solar-system-this-way#comment54091_29790) for something possibly similar
uhoh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-28T17:37:09.333Z
@Muze I don't play with simulators so I have no idea.  I like them, I've just never dabbled.
userLTK
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-28T10:27:01.267Z
2019-02-28T10:27:01.267Z
userLTK
<p>That might be a simulation of Oort cloud. Loosely bound asteroids at the edge of sun gravity. Though it would be spherical instead of ring but it may be 2 d represention. Notice the fast moving inner planet. Since sun is stationary I think it is relative motion of stars  as sun revolves around milkyway. Possibly, how we get long distance comet. As suggested this type of encounter are rare in inner solar system but not impossible. Yes on close enough encounter, earth can be ejected outward. I guess that would be one way to travel inter stellar distances :)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-28T11:30:02.393Z
2019-02-28T11:40:09.067Z
2019-02-28T11:40:09.067Z
HR04375439
<p>I found this image of what maybe a model of our solar system. Without a credible source I'm not sure I am looking at a star or black hole that comes close to our solar system and how it could throw Earth out of orbit from the sun and/or solar system?  </p>

<p>I found it while Googling for how a solar system travels through space and did a picture search with no luck.</p>

<p>Is this possible? And what am I looking at?</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/RzRXf.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/RzRXf.gif" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-28T12:26:41.323Z
reminds me of [Spin To Survive: How 'Saturn On Steroids' Keeps From Self-Destructing](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/14/497933988/spin-to-survive-how-saturn-on-steroids-keeps-from-self-destructing) and https://arxiv.org/abs/1609.08485 see also https://vimeo.com/117757625 and especially https://vimeo.com/184968413
uhoh
<star><black-hole><solar-system><earth><identify-this-object>
Can Earth be ejected out of the solar system this way?
Muze
# Can Earth be ejected out of the solar system this way?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-02-28)

I found this image of what maybe a model of our solar system. Without a credible source I'm not sure I am looking at a star or black hole that comes close to our solar system and how it could throw Earth out of orbit from the sun and/or solar system?

I found it while Googling for how a solar system travels through space and did a picture search with no luck.

Is this possible? And what am I looking at?

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/RzRXf.gif)](https://i.sstatic.net/RzRXf.gif)

**Tags:** star, black-hole, solar-system, earth, identify-this-object

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: reminds me of [Spin To Survive: How 'Saturn On Steroids' Keeps From Self-Destructing](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/14/497933988/spin-to-survive-how-saturn-on-steroids-keeps-from-self-destructing) and https://arxiv.org/abs/1609.08485 see also https://vimeo.com/117757625 and especially https://vimeo.com/184968413  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-02-28. Score: 3

It looks like the model is a simulation of what happens if a massive object flies by a very narrow ring system type of thing with a circular orbit. The ring system setup seems improbable to me, and the massive object doesn't appear to fly in a straight line, so it's not very accurate for two reasons, but the gravitational effect seems accurate. If a massive body was to fly into the solar system and pass near Earth it could send the Earth out of the solar system or in towards the sun.

Fortunately, bodies that massive almost never fly inside the solar system, so that scenario is unlikely to happen over the lifetime of the sun.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: What program are they using? I think this was leaked since I was not able to find the source but maybe if I can find who uses this program.  
> **username_1**: see [comment](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/29790/can-earth-be-ejected-out-of-the-solar-system-this-way#comment54091_29790) for something possibly similar  
> **username_2**: @username_0 I don't play with simulators so I have no idea.  I like them, I've just never dabbled.  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2019-02-28. Score: 2

That might be a simulation of Oort cloud. Loosely bound asteroids at the edge of sun gravity. Though it would be spherical instead of ring but it may be 2 d represention. Notice the fast moving inner planet. Since sun is stationary I think it is relative motion of stars as sun revolves around milkyway. Possibly, how we get long distance comet. As suggested this type of encounter are rare in inner solar system but not impossible. Yes on close enough encounter, earth can be ejected outward. I guess that would be one way to travel inter stellar distances :)


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