Imagine that we have just discovered a new planet in a solar system very much li
ID: 283985 • Letter: I
Question
Imagine that we have just discovered a new planet in a solar system very much like our own. The planet orbits a star that is the same mass and age as the Sun. You and your intrepid group have been assigned to identify some of the basic characteristics of this new world. Your group has collected the following observations, and you are now expected to report answers to the attached list of questions. The planet is the 3^rd of eight visible planets in this system. It has two somewhat large moons. Based upon the sizes and distances of your moons from the planet, would you expect to see a total eclipse of the star by either or both moons from the surface of your planet? Would you expect either or both moons to exert stronger or weaker tidal forces on your planet than Earth's moon does on Earth? How do you know? Determine whether your moons are regular/native or irregular/captured. Are either or both of your moons likely to be regular/native moons to your planet? How do you know? Are either of your moons more likely to be irregular/captured moons? How do you know?Explanation / Answer
a. Either or both could be the regular moons of the planet. This can be ascertained based on their shape, orbit as regular/native moons have spherical shape and a fixed orbital plane.
b. Either or both could be the irregular/captured moons of the planet. This can be ascertained based on their shape and orbit. Irregular/capture moons may show irregularity in shape or orbit.