A comet, originating in the solar system, is observed to have a hyperbolic orbit. What is MOST likely to have happened?
A) The comet always had such an orbit.
B) The comet was deflected from an elliptical orbit by close encounters with other bodies in the solar system.
C) The comet was decelerated by solar radiation.
D) The comet's circular orbit was changed by gravitational radiation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Comets originally move in elliptical orbits around the sun. A hyperbolic orbit suggests that the comet's path was altered, most likely due to gravitational interactions with other bodies in the solar system, such as planets or larger asteroids. These encounters can significantly change a comet's velocity and trajectory, potentially converting an elliptical orbit into a hyperbolic one, which will eventually lead the comet to leave the solar system.

A Comet, Originating in the Solar System, Is Observed to Have