An asteroid approaches Jupiter and is slung around into a new trajectory point across the solar system. Which of the following is possible? CHOOSE ONE.
O The asteroid slows down as it passes around Jupiter.
O The asteroid continues out of the solar system.
O The asteroid adopts an unusual orbit around the sun, such as an egg shape.
O The asteroid falls into an irregular orbit around Jupiter.
O The asteroid adopts an unusual orbit around the sun, such as an egg shape.
The most accurate possibility out of the given options is:
- The asteroid adopts an unusual orbit around the sun, such as an egg shape.
The correct answer is: O The asteroid adopts an unusual orbit around the sun, such as an egg shape.
Explanation: When an asteroid approaches Jupiter and gets sling-shotted around the planet, it can gain a significant amount of energy and momentum from the gravitational interaction. This energy allows the asteroid to escape from Jupiter's gravitational pull and enter into a new trajectory in the solar system.
It is unlikely for the asteroid to slow down as it passes around Jupiter because the gravitational pull of a massive planet like Jupiter typically accelerates objects rather than slowing them down.
It is also unlikely for the asteroid to continue out of the solar system unless it receives enough energy from the slingshot maneuver to escape the entire solar system altogether. This is highly improbable as Jupiter's gravity alone is not enough to launch an asteroid out of the solar system.
While it is possible for the asteroid to fall into an irregular orbit around Jupiter due to the gravitational interaction, the question specifically mentions that the asteroid's trajectory is across the solar system, suggesting that it escapes Jupiter's gravitational pull.
Therefore, the most likely possibility is that the asteroid adopts an unusual orbit around the sun, such as an egg shape. During the slingshot maneuver, the asteroid's trajectory is altered, causing it to enter a new path that can be more elliptical or elongated in shape, commonly referred to as an egg shape orbit.