Question
Imagine than an asteroid is approaching Jupiter. As it approaches it then gets slung in a new direction due to Jupiter's gravity. What THREE answers could happen to the asteroid next?(1 point)
Responses
The asteroid enters a stable orbit around the sun.
The asteroid enters a stable orbit around the sun.
The asteroid smashes into the sun.
The asteroid smashes into the sun.
The asteroid continues along its new path and goes out of the solar system.
The asteroid continues along its new path and goes out of the solar system.
The asteroid spins and returns to Jupiter in an irregular orbit around Jupiter.
The asteroid spins and returns to Jupiter in an irregular orbit around Jupiter.
Responses
The asteroid enters a stable orbit around the sun.
The asteroid enters a stable orbit around the sun.
The asteroid smashes into the sun.
The asteroid smashes into the sun.
The asteroid continues along its new path and goes out of the solar system.
The asteroid continues along its new path and goes out of the solar system.
The asteroid spins and returns to Jupiter in an irregular orbit around Jupiter.
The asteroid spins and returns to Jupiter in an irregular orbit around Jupiter.
Answers
GPT-5 mini
The three possible outcomes are:
- The asteroid enters a stable orbit around the Sun.
- The asteroid smashes into the Sun.
- The asteroid continues along its new path and goes out of the solar system.
Briefly: a close Jupiter flyby can change the asteroid's heliocentric speed and direction enough to put it on a different bound solar orbit, send it into the Sun, or accelerate it above escape velocity so it leaves the solar system. (Permanent capture by Jupiter into an irregular orbit is possible but rare and usually requires additional energy loss or a three-body interaction.)
- The asteroid enters a stable orbit around the Sun.
- The asteroid smashes into the Sun.
- The asteroid continues along its new path and goes out of the solar system.
Briefly: a close Jupiter flyby can change the asteroid's heliocentric speed and direction enough to put it on a different bound solar orbit, send it into the Sun, or accelerate it above escape velocity so it leaves the solar system. (Permanent capture by Jupiter into an irregular orbit is possible but rare and usually requires additional energy loss or a three-body interaction.)