There are several factors that can cause a star to have an eccentric orbit, including interactions with other stars, gravitational forces from nearby celestial bodies, and even the presence of a companion star. In some cases, a star's eccentric orbit may also be a result of its formation process.
The eccentricity of a star's orbit is calculated by measuring the distance between the star and its parent body at its closest and farthest points, and then dividing the difference by the sum of these two distances. This value is then subtracted from one to determine the eccentricity, with a result of zero indicating a circular orbit and a result of one indicating a parabolic orbit.
The eccentricity of a star's orbit can potentially affect its habitability by causing significant changes in its distance from its parent body and resulting in large temperature fluctuations. However, other factors such as the star's size and composition also play a significant role in determining a star's habitability.
There is currently no evidence to suggest that stars with eccentric orbits are more likely to have planets. However, these stars may have a greater chance of hosting exoplanets in their habitable zones, as the varying distance from their parent body can create a wider range of potentially habitable conditions.
Yes, a star's eccentric orbit can change over time due to various factors such as interactions with other celestial bodies, gravitational perturbations, and even the star's own evolution. However, these changes typically occur over very long periods of time and may not be noticeable within a human lifespan.