AbstractStructural effects of the resonance with the mean motion of Jupiter on the system of short-period comets are discussed. The distribution of mean motions, determined from sets of consecutive perihelion passages of all known periodic comets, reveals a number of gaps associated with low-order resonance; most pronounced are those corresponding to the simplest commensurabilities of 5/2, 2/1, 5/3, 3/2, 1/1 and 1/2. The formation of the gaps is explained by a compound effect of five possible types of behaviour of the comets set into an approximate resonance, ranging from quick passages through the gap to temporary librations avoiding closer approaches to Jupiter. In addition to the comets of almost asteroidal appearance, librating with small amplitudes around the lower resonance ratios (Marsden, 1970b), there is an interesting group of faint diffuse comets librating in characteristic periods of about 200 years, with large amplitudes of about±8% in μ and almost±180° in σ, around the 2/1 resonance gap. This transient type of motion appears to be nearly as frequent as a circulating motion with period of revolution of less than one half that of Jupiter. The temporary members of this group are characteristic not only by their appearance but also by rather peculiar discovery conditions.
