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Chapter 4: Problem 23

Suppose astronomers discovered an object approaching the Sun in an unbound orbit. What would that say about the origin of the object?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The object likely originated from outside the solar system, indicating an interstellar origin.

Step by step solution

01

- Understanding Unbound Orbits

An unbound orbit means that the object is not gravitationally bound to the Sun or any other object. It's important to understand that there are two types of unbound orbits: hyperbolic and parabolic.
02

- Identify Characteristics of Hyperbolic Orbits

Hyperbolic orbits suggest that the object is traveling at a speed greater than the escape velocity of the Sun's gravitational field. This means it originated from outside the solar system and is just passing through.
03

- Identify Characteristics of Parabolic Orbits

A parabolic orbit is an idealized case where the object's speed is exactly equal to the escape velocity. This also suggests an extra-solar origin but can be less common than hyperbolic orbits.
04

- Conclusion About the Object's Origin

Since the object is in an unbound orbit, it likely did not form within the solar system. Instead, it is more probable that the object originated from interstellar space.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Unbound Orbits: A Gateway to the Universe
Astronomers occasionally discover objects traveling in unbound orbits around our Sun.
These orbits are fascinating because they reveal that the object is not tied to the Sun or any other cosmic body by gravity.
Unbound orbits can be either hyperbolic or parabolic, both of which imply an extra-solar origin for the object.
Understanding these orbits gives us a glimpse into the broader universe, beyond our own solar system.
Hyperbolic Orbits
Hyperbolic orbits occur when an object's speed is greater than the Sun's escape velocity.
Imagine the object zooming past; it is too fast to be captured by the Sun's gravity and will continue its journey through space.
Key points about hyperbolic orbits include:
  • The object's speed exceeds escape velocity.
  • They suggest that the object comes from outside the solar system.
  • These orbits are often seen in interstellar objects.
When an object in a hyperbolic orbit enters our solar system, it is likely a traveler from interstellar space, just passing through and not destined to stick around.
Parabolic Orbits
Parabolic orbits represent a special case of unbound orbits.
These occur when the object's speed is exactly equal to the escape velocity.
Characteristics of parabolic orbits:
  • The object's speed matches the escape velocity perfectly.
  • This is a less common orbit compared to hyperbolic orbits.
  • Just like hyperbolic orbits, they suggest an extra-solar origin.
Parabolic orbits are intriguing but rare, and they also indicate that the object did not form within our solar system.
Instead, like those in hyperbolic orbits, these objects come from the far reaches of interstellar space.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Go to a website that will show you the times for high and low tides; for example, http://saltwatertides.com. Pick a location and bring up the tide table for today and the next 14 days. Why are there two high tides and two low tides every day? What is the difference in the height of the water between high and low tides? In the last few columns of the table, the times of moonrise and moonset are indicated, as well as the percent of lunar illumination. Does the time of the high tide lead or follow the highest position of the Moon in the sky? Compare with Figure \(4.12 \mathrm{c}:\) what phases of the Moon have the greatest differences in the height of high and low tides?

If the Moon were 2 times closer to Earth than it is now, the gravitational force between Earth and the Moon would be a. 2 times stronger. b. 4 times stronger. c. 8 times stronger. d. 16 times stronger.

Venus's circular velocity is \(35.03 \mathrm{km} / \mathrm{s}\), and its orbital radius is \(1.082 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{km} .\) Use this information to calculate the mass of the Sun.

Explain the difference between weight and mass.

Spring tides occur only when a. the Sun is near the vernal equinox. b. the Moon's phase is new or full. c. the Moon's phase is first quarter or third quarter. d. it is either spring or fall.
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