Extremely eccentric orbit

[[VR] optimal_909]

This is one if the, if not the most eccentric orbit I found so far, if anyone is interested, it is en route to BP.

Given the gravitational squeeze this ice giant must go through, the surface appeared to be quite normal vs. what I expected: canyons and cracks everywhere. Anyway, if anyone passes by, the orbital passage close to the star must be spectacular, and it happens every 4.5 day!

Relative position vs. BP.


The orbit:


The ordinary surface:
View attachment 105550

System info:

 

[milkyway_dingo]

Nice

I found a couple of those on my most recent trip out (just got back today).

I don't specifically remember the eccentricities of those ones I saw, however I don't think they were quiet as high as that!

Good find. Thanks for sharing

 

[CMDR Atmosfera]

thats cool thanks for sharing

 

[Edelgard von Rhein]

This planet is also remarkable for being one of the largest landable planets so far found: there is a list here: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=217068
.
There have been a couple of other threads about highly eccentric orbits and at one stage people were asking for them to get into the Universal Cartographics records book but it didn't happen, unfortunately. If you have the time, it makes for a fascinating sight to try and capture the whole orbit in view at once, as you have done - there are planets out there with orbits as eccentric as long period comets and seeing them really brings home just how bizarre these orbits are! (The most eccentric orbits I've seen in game have much longer periods than 4.5 days - so this is really an extreme case you've found!)

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

This planet is also remarkable for being one of the largest landable planets so far found: there is a list here: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=217068
.
There have been a couple of other threads about highly eccentric orbits and at one stage people were asking for them to get into the Universal Cartographics records book but it didn't happen, unfortunately. If you have the time, it makes for a fascinating sight to try and capture the whole orbit in view at once, as you have done - there are planets out there with orbits as eccentric as long period comets and seeing them really brings home just how bizarre these orbits are! (The most eccentric orbits I've seen in game have much longer periods than 4.5 days - so this is really an extreme case you've found!)

Wow, I didn't notice that the size of this thing could be close to any record! I saw a fair number of landable ice giants just shy of 20k km diameter, so I never thought that it could be close to any record.

There is another I found quite close to the bubble (if I recall correctly), but I didn't capture the orbit itself, but I remember it was also highly eccentric with an orbital period of well below 1 day.
The planet was a molten bulged thing to the extreme. It was also tidally locked, and the side facing the dwarf star was white, and it boasted a giant lava ocean as well.
View attachment 105777View attachment 105778View attachment 105779
Well, this is why I was somewhat disappointed to see ordinary features on that ice giant.

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

Not far from Beagle Point, I stumbled upon a similar ice giant with an even more eccentric orbit.

The orbital eccentricity is 0.92 and the orbit's closest point is about 2 ls away from the star, well within scooping range... I'm tempted to stay here to witness what it looks like! It will happen in 4-6 days or so...

If anyone is about to leave Beagle Point, perhaps it would be worth to set it as a waypoint. A couple of images and location can be found here (the one showing the star only is how the star would look like from the surface when passing by):
https://goo.gl/photos/RqQpqdBQaDcFZTQR6

 

[Sapyx]

I have noted several planets with eccentricities above 0.9; I think 0.93 is my personal record. For comparison, Halley's Comet has an eccentricity of 0.967.

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

It's a shame it doesn't a category in universal cartographics (unless, of course, if it does, and I didn't find it).

 

[Iron Orchid]

I thought this was another thread about Frawd for a minute.

IO

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

I thought this was another thread about Frawd for a minute.

IO

Nah, this topic is less interesting and definitely less extreme.

 

[Commander Wolzan]

The most eccentric orbit recorded at elite galaxy online is 0.9805 but that's for a high metal content planet.

http://www.elitegalaxyonline.com/portfolio/most-eccentric-orbits-terrestrial-planets/

I've not seen an icy planet as eccentric as the op yet, worth recording

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

The most eccentric orbit recorded at elite galaxy online is 0.9805 but that's for a high metal content planet.

http://www.elitegalaxyonline.com/portfolio/most-eccentric-orbits-terrestrial-planets/

I've not seen an icy planet as eccentric as the op yet, worth recording

Feel free to use all pictures!
It's also worth noting, that it is possible to land on them.

I will definitely wait for a fly-by at the one I mentioned in the original post. The latter one has a 10 day orbit and was about 6 days away getting close to the star, whereas the first one has an orbit of 4.5 days, so I won't have to wait as much.

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

I'm back to the system mentioned in the original post, and it appears I'm lucky and the planet is in a late stage of its orbit, approaching the parent star. Even if its speed is linear (I hope not), it will get to the closest point within 24 hours or so.

I will stay put and try to make some cool images.

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

The approach:

The flyby:

The planet's surface was a bit glitched seen from orbit, parts of the ice giant were glowing red.