0
Does the shape of the ion tail of a comet depend on the solar winds?
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
yes. While one would presume that the tail would stretch out behind the comet, in reality the tail is caused by the solar wind blowing dust and gas away from the sun. Thus, no matter what orbit the comet is in or what direction it is travelling, the tail always points away from the sun.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How does a comet develop a tail?
a comet gets a tail as it gets closer to the sun, due to solar winds.
Which part of comet is on the opposite side of a comet from the sun?
Solar winds blow the debris of the traveling comet to make it appear it has a tail.
What two comet tails originate from?
What DO comet tails originate from? They are formed when the sun causes gas and dust to leave the comet, and are then swept away by solar winds. This is why that no matter which direction a comet is traveling, it's tail is always pointed awY from the sun.
Why do comet tails point in different directions?
A comet is comprised mostly of ice. The tail of the comet is caused by cosmic winds, from our sun, blasting particles off the comet's surface, the tail does NOT point in the opposite direction of travel, as one might expect, but points directly away from the source of the solar winds. That's why a comets tail, (from our perspective) may be traveling in a certain direction but have it's tail pointing in the SAME direction.
What gives comets there tails?
A comet contains a lot of rocks and frozen water. As the comet approaches the sun, it starts to get warmer. The water on its surface begins to evaporate. The solar wind blows it away from the comet. When the water vapor gets away from the comet, it turns into water or ice. People can not see water vapor. They can see drops of water and ice. The evaporated water vapor streams behind the comet carried by the solar wind. The comet comes close to the sun and then goes back. The solar wind keeps blowing its tail away from the direction of the sun.
How does a comet develop a tail?
a comet gets a tail as it gets closer to the sun, due to solar winds.
Which part of comet is on the opposite side of a comet from the sun?
Solar winds blow the debris of the traveling comet to make it appear it has a tail.
What two comet tails originate from?
What DO comet tails originate from? They are formed when the sun causes gas and dust to leave the comet, and are then swept away by solar winds. This is why that no matter which direction a comet is traveling, it's tail is always pointed awY from the sun.
Why do comet tails point in different directions?
A comet is comprised mostly of ice. The tail of the comet is caused by cosmic winds, from our sun, blasting particles off the comet's surface, the tail does NOT point in the opposite direction of travel, as one might expect, but points directly away from the source of the solar winds. That's why a comets tail, (from our perspective) may be traveling in a certain direction but have it's tail pointing in the SAME direction.
Where do solar winds come from?
Solar winds come from the sum
When was Solar Winds created?
Solar Winds was created in 1993.
What gives comets there tails?
A comet contains a lot of rocks and frozen water. As the comet approaches the sun, it starts to get warmer. The water on its surface begins to evaporate. The solar wind blows it away from the comet. When the water vapor gets away from the comet, it turns into water or ice. People can not see water vapor. They can see drops of water and ice. The evaporated water vapor streams behind the comet carried by the solar wind. The comet comes close to the sun and then goes back. The solar wind keeps blowing its tail away from the direction of the sun.
What does the magnetosphere do to the solar winds?
It deflects the solar winds around the Earth
What happens when comets near the sun?
A comet's tail lengthens as it approaches the sun due to greater solar winds. A comets tail always faces away from the sun.
Where are people most affected by solar winds?
"No person is affected by solar winds because they happen in the atmosphere. What is affected by solar winds are satellites that are up in the solar system, they can get pushed aside, knocked down, or even broken if the solar winds are too strong."
How does the elliptical orbit of comets affect their appearance?
Invisible to our eyes, ionic "winds" are constantly blowing away from the sun. As a comet passes in a long, elliptical orbit, its tail is pushed away from the sun by these solar winds. Since most of the visible part of the comet is its tail, this is a very visible effect. Of course, there is no air resistance in the vacuum of outer space, a comet's orbit will not make it more elongated, smooth, etc.
What part of the sun sends out solar winds?
Solar winds are sent out from the upper atmosphere of the sun.
