Solar Systems: (15 pts) Below are a set of discoveries about a hypothetical sola

Question

Solar Systems: (15 pts) Below are a set of discoveries about a hypothetical solar system around a distant star. Given what we know about the formation of the Solar System, are these discoveries surprising or not? Explain your reasoning for each in a few sentences.

a) The system has nine planets all of which orbit in approximately the same plane. The three innermost planets orbit the star clockwise while the rest orbit counterclockwise.

b) The five planets closest to the star are gas giants while the outer four are rocky, terrestrial planets.

c) The fifth planet, a large gas giant, has two sets of rings. These rings orbit approximately the same distance from the planet, but inclined to each other at an angle of about 45 degrees.

d) The seventh planet is ten times more massive than Earth. It has a rocky surface and a thin, Mars-like atmosphere.

Explanation / Answer

Answers

(a) The system has nine planets all of which orbit in approximately the same plane. The three innermost planets orbit the star clockwise while the rest orbit counterclockwise. It is surprising due to it is a falls discovery. The three innermost planets orbit the star not in clockwise while the rest orbit not in counterclockwise. Only Venus and Uranu orbit in clockwise rest of six planets in counter clock wise.

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