Solar system simulaion

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Computer simulation was developed hand-in-hand with the rapid growth of the computer, following its first large-scale deployment during the Manhattan Project in World War II to model the process of nuclear detonation. It was a simulation of 12 hard spheres using a Monte Carlo algorithm. Computer simulation is often used as an adjunct to, or substitution for, modeling systems for which simple closed form analytic solutions are not possible. There are many different types of computer simulation; the common feature they all share is the attempt to generate a sample of representative scenarios for a model in which a complete enumeration of all possible states of the model would be prohibitive or impossible. Computer models were initially used as a supplement for other arguments, but their use later became rather widespread.
The Solar System consists of the Sun and those celestial objects bound to it by gravity, all of which formed from the collapse of a giant molecular cloud approximately 4.6 billion years ago of the retinue of objects that orbit the Sun, most of the mass is contained within eight (8) relatively solitary planets whose orbits are almost circular and contained within a nearly-flat disc called the ecliptic plane. The four smaller inner planets; Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, also called the terrestrial planets, are primarily composed of rock and metal. The four outer planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, also called the gas giants, are composed largely of hydrogen and helium and are far more massive than the terrestrials.
1.1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Simulation of solar system historically has been a major difficult terrain for scientists especially in space exploration activities. Several reasons can be adduced for this difficulty some of which have been identified thus:
1. Lack of a historical database of calculated values.
2. Having a limited problem solving capability and an interface optimized for extensive and complex mathematical computation.
3. Most computation facilities are generally not available and where they are handy usually expensive.
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The aim and objective of this research work is to develop simulated solar system that provide insight into movement of solar bodies in outer space and their relationships. To achieve this purpose a computer simulation of a typical solar system will be built using object-oriented programming approach. This software will serve as a computer aided tool for space and solar system study.

1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATION
This project work will cover basic aspects of simulation of orbital pattern of solar bodies and their movement around each other. It will also espouse how comet transcends the space.
1.5 JUSTIFICATION
It is believe that at the end of this research work the intended system simulation will be achieved where by all necessary requirement stated above will present.
1.5 DEFINITION OF TERMS
i. Solar System: the Sun and everything that orbits the Sun, including the planets and their satellites, the dwarf planets, asteroids, Kuiper Belt Objects, and comets; and interplanetary dust and gas. The term may also refer to a group of celestial bodies orbiting another star. ii. Simulation: representation or imitation of one process or system through the use of computer resources. iii. A comet: is an icy small solar system body that when passing close to the sun, displays a visible atmosphere or coma and sometime also a tail. These phenomena are both due to the effect of solar radiation and the solar wind upon the nucleus of the comet. iv. Coma and tail: are the nebulous envelop around the nucleus of a comet, and it is formed when the comet passes close to the sun on its highly ecliptic orbit.
v. A planet: is an astronomical object orbiting a star or stellar remnant that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, is not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion, and has cleared its neighbouring region of planesimals.