Q. Which of the following has highly elongated elliptical orbit ?

Correct Answer: b) Comet

Explanation:

Comets are celestial objects that are primarily composed of ice, dust, and rocky material. They are known for their highly elongated elliptical orbits around the Sun. This means that their paths are stretched out and not circular. Due to this elongated orbit, comets spend most of their time far away from the Sun in the outer regions of the solar system. However, when they approach the Sun during their orbit, the heat causes the ice in the comet to vaporize, creating a glowing coma (a cloud of gas and dust) and sometimes a visible tail that points away from the Sun.

In contrast:
– Asteroids generally have more circular or slightly elliptical orbits and are mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
– Meteorites are fragments of meteoroids that survive their passage through Earth’s atmosphere and land on Earth’s surface.
– Meteors are meteoroids that burn up upon entering Earth’s atmosphere, creating a streak of light in the sky.

Thus, comets are the celestial objects with highly elongated elliptical orbits.