Chapter 15: Problem 36

The accompanying image from the Galileo spacecraft shows the asteroid \(243 \mathrm{Ida}\), which has dimensions \(56 \times 24 \times\) \(21 \mathrm{~km}\). Galileo discovered a tiny moon called Dactyl, just \(1.6 \times 1.4 \times 1.2 \mathrm{~km}\) in size, which orbits Ida at a distance of about \(100 \mathrm{~km}\). (In Greek mythology, the Dactyli were beings who lived on the slopes of Mount Ida.) Describe a scenario that could explain how Ida came to have a moon.

Short Answer

Expert verified

One possible scenario is that Dactyl was once a free-roaming asteroid that happened to pass close enough to Ida with a suitable velocity to get caught in its gravitational pull and eventually become its moon.

Step by step solution

Understanding Elements and Concepts

Understand the components involved in the scenario given - which are the asteroid Ida and its discovered moon Dactyl. Also, familiarize with the concept of asteroids having moons, which is not uncommon in the solar system.

Developing a Scenario

Develop a scenario that fits into the cosmos' natural body movement framework. One possibility is that Dactyl was a roaming asteroid that got caught in Ida's gravitational pull and eventually became its moon. This could happen if Dactyl was passing close enough to Ida with a suitable velocity.

Summarizing the Scenario

Summarize the scenario and explain it in a simple way. In this case, Dactyl, once a free asteroid, might have passed close enough to Ida to have been caught up in its gravitational influence, becoming its moon.

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Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Elements and Concepts

Developing a Scenario

Summarizing the Scenario

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