Tag: Comets

Comets are small celestial bodies composed primarily of ice, dust, and rocky materials that orbit the sun. They are characterized by their bright nuclei and spectacular tails that develop when they approach the sun. As a comet nears the sun, the heat causes the ice within it to vaporize and release gas and dust, forming a glowing coma and often a visible tail that is pushed away from the sun by solar wind and radiation pressure. Comets originate from the outer regions of the solar system, primarily from two main areas: the Kuiper Belt, which is located beyond the orbit of Neptune, and the Oort Cloud, a distant spherical shell of icy bodies. They vary widely in size and composition and can take years to centuries to complete an orbit around the sun. Comets have been observed throughout history and are often associated with significant events, giving them a prominent place in astronomical studies and cultural significance.