What type of orbit do most comets that enter our solar system have? (1 point) Responses circular circular hyperbolic hyperbolic Spiral Spiral ellipse ellipse
hyperbolic
Most comets that enter our solar system have an elliptical orbit.
Most comets that enter our solar system have an elliptical orbit. To determine this, we can use our understanding of celestial mechanics and observe the trajectory of comets as they approach our system.
To study the orbit of comets, astronomers measure their eccentricity, which indicates the deviation of the orbit from a perfect circle. An eccentricity value between 0 and 1 represents an elliptical orbit, where 0 corresponds to a perfect circle and 1 implies a parabolic trajectory.
Comets are typically referred to as "long-period comets" if their eccentricity is close to 1. These comets have elongated, elliptical orbits with extreme distances from the Sun and spend most of their time far beyond our solar system. When they enter the inner part of the solar system, they become visible and can be observed as they approach the Sun.
On the other hand, short-period comets have orbits that are less elongated and have lower eccentricities. These comets have relatively shorter orbital periods and spend most of their time within our solar system, such as Halley's Comet, which has a period of about 76 years.
Therefore, the most common type of orbit for comets that enter our solar system is an elliptical orbit.