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elliptical

in a ovalish shape

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Q: Planet's orbits are nearly circularWhat shape is the comet's?
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Are comets like planets?

No. Comets are much smaller than planets, are irregular in shape, and have highly eccentric orbits.


What shapes are the orbits of many comets?

Most cross orbits of planets which allows it to hit the planets easier. They do not go into a full orbit at all.


Why the planets not colliding each other?

The planets in the solar system are in well-spaced out, stable, roughly circular orbits - they don't come close enough to collide with each other. Asteroids and comets, however, are on more elliptical, unstable orbits that often cross the orbits of the planets, and sometimes planets collide with asteroids and comets.


Do comets travel in orbits with a shape similar to the planets?

No. The planets in the Solar System all have almost circular orbits, but the orbits of comets are highly eccentric (oval-shaped). This means that while the distance a planet is from the Sun is rather constant, the path of a comet means it comes close to the Sun, and then moves far away.


Comets with extremely elliptical orbits like comets Hyakutake and Hale-Bopp are?

Of course, all comets around the sun are coming under the family of planets but with large eccentricity. But we would like to differentiate them because of that large eccentricity.

Related questions

Planet 's orbits are nearly circular .what shape is a comet's?

All orbits are geodesic curves. Comets tend to have elliptical orbits ... as do planets, really; the degree of eccentricity (this is a measure of how "stretched" the ellipse is) just tends to be higher for comets.


Are comets like planets?

No. Comets are much smaller than planets, are irregular in shape, and have highly eccentric orbits.


What shapes are the orbits of many comets?

Most cross orbits of planets which allows it to hit the planets easier. They do not go into a full orbit at all.


How do the orbits of comets differ from the orbits of most asteroids?

Comets are balls of ice and dust in orbit around the Sun. The orbits of comets are different from those of planets - they are elliptical. A comet's orbit takes it very close to the Sun and then far away again.


Will the planets colide?

No, the solar system planets are all in stable orbits. That may not be the case for the asteroids, comets, and distant planetesimals.


Why the planets not colliding each other?

The planets in the solar system are in well-spaced out, stable, roughly circular orbits - they don't come close enough to collide with each other. Asteroids and comets, however, are on more elliptical, unstable orbits that often cross the orbits of the planets, and sometimes planets collide with asteroids and comets.


Do comets travel in orbits with a shape similar to the planets?

No. The planets in the Solar System all have almost circular orbits, but the orbits of comets are highly eccentric (oval-shaped). This means that while the distance a planet is from the Sun is rather constant, the path of a comet means it comes close to the Sun, and then moves far away.


What orbits the Sun but are not classified as planets?

Asteroids, comets, minor or dwarf planets, and even some artificial spacecraft orbit the Sun but are not considered true planets.


In light of modern solar system theory why do the orbits of the planets all lie in nearly the same plane?

The orbits of the planets all lie in nearly the same plane for preservation of angular momentum.


What has elliptical orbits?

As an elliptical orbit is any orbit that isn't perfectly circular, everything has an elliptical orbit. The planets Mercury and Pluto have the most elliptical orbits of the planets, and are easily seen to be oval shaped. Comets also have highly elliptical orbits.


Are there forces in space?

Of course. That's how planets, comets, and moons are maintained in closed orbits around other masses.


What type of orbits do comets fallow?

Mostly comets follow elliptical orbits just like the planets, except more elongated (eccentricity higher). A few comets that come from deep space are on hyperbolic orbits and are very fast-moving, they visit once and never come back because they have enough kinetic energy to escape again.