Planets in Eccentric Orbits Can Experience Powerful Tidal Forces (IMAGE)

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

Planets in Eccentric Orbits Can Experience Powerful Tidal Forces

Caption

Planets in eccentric orbits can experience powerful tidal forces. A planet covered by a very thick ice shell (left) is springy enough to flex a great deal, generating a lot of internal friction and heat. Some terrestrial planets (right) also will flex, especially with partially molten inner layers.

Credit

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

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