Gravitational scattering

Gravitational scattering is the alteration of trajectories when two or more celestial objects exchange energy and momentum through close gravitational encounters. This process underpins many dynamical phenomena in astrophysics, from the formation of binary star systems to the ejection of bodies from planetary systems. When objects like stars, planets, or black holes pass close enough to influence each other’s motions, their paths can shift dramatically. Close passages between massive objects—such as stars, planets, or black holes—can produce either bound pairs or unbound ejecta. An example is Jupiter scattering Kuiper belt objects out of the Solar System.