9. An asteroid approaches Jupiter and is slung around by gravity into a new trajectory across the solar system. It's eccentricity is now greater than 1. Which of the following is possible?

Question

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1 point
The asteroid slows down as it passes around Jupiter.
The asteroid continues out of the solar system.
The asteroid adopts an unusual orbit around the sun, such as an egg shape.
The asteroid falls into an irregular orbit around Jupiter.

Answer 1

The correct option is:

The asteroid continues out of the solar system.

When the eccentricity of an object's orbit is greater than 1, it means that the object's orbit is not closed and it will eventually escape the gravitational influence of whatever body it is orbiting. In this case, since the asteroid's eccentricity has increased after being slung around by Jupiter's gravity, it is now possible for the asteroid to continue out of the solar system.