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We believe that comets are the "left-overs" from the formation of the solar system 4.5 billion years ago. For reasons that are not yet clear, a frozen clump of dist, rocks and ice are disturbed from their distant lazy orbits around the Sun, and caused to drop into the inner solar system and come close to the Sun.
The astronomer Jan Oort theorized that there must be an enormous toroidal (doughnut-shaped) "cloud" of these objects, sort of proto-comets in the solar system's deep freeze. While we have never actually observed any objects in the "Oort Cloud" directly (they are much too far away and too dim to be even theoretically visible with our current technology), his ideas made sense and are now an accepted concept in astronomy.
Some astronomers believe that there might be one or more larger planet-sized objects in the Oort Cloud, or perhaps a "black dwarf"; an object not QUITE big enough to become a star. This object, nicknamed "Nemesis", might occasionally come close enough to the Oort Cloud to disturb the orbits of the frozen rocks and cause them to occasionally become comets - or to impact the inner planets such as Earth.
What else can I help you with?
Does a meteor orbit the sun?
Meteors do not orbit the Sun. Meteors are small particles that enter Earth's atmosphere and burn up as they frictionally interact with the air. They come from the debris left behind by comets or asteroids orbiting the Sun.
Is Halley's comet part of our solar system?
Yes. The solar system is everything that orbits the sun.
What is the difference between the earth's orbit and a comet's orbit?
The Earth's orbit around the Sun is more circular and consistent, while a comet's orbit is typically more elliptical and variable. Comets also come from the outer solar system and have highly eccentric orbits that can bring them close to the Sun, leading to the development of a bright coma and tail due to the heat and radiation.
Does a comet orbit a planet?
In prehistoric times large objects have caused big craters. Whether before impact these would have appeared like comets is a matter for debate. A comet is a celestial body. Anything that enters the earths atmosphere and/or strikes the earth is deemed a meteorite
Name two objects in the solar system besides moons and planets?
Asteroids and comets are two examples of objects in the solar system besides moons and planets. Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Comets are icy bodies that also orbit the Sun, with tails that form when they come close to the Sun.
How often do comets from the oort cloud come to earth?
every 5-10 years.
What celiestial body do comets orbit?
Any object with greater mass than another can cause the lesser object to orbit it. Most of our comets come from the Oort Cloud, beyond Pluto, and they orbit our Sun.
Where do short and long period comets come from?
Short period comets are thought to originate in the Kuiper Belt, outside the orbit of Neptune.Long period comets originate in the Oort Cloud, which is far more distant, about half way to the nearest star!Comets, as with any astronomical body, can have its orbit perturbed (changed) by external gravitational forces. Long period comets can become short period and vice versa. The orbits can range from a few tens of years to many thousands, some can even escape altogether.
Are comets part of the of the asteroid belt?
No. Comets come from beyond the asteroid belt, mostly from a region called the Kuiper Belt, beyond the orbit of Neptune.
Where do astronomers think that comets orignate?
Comets are classified by the size of their orbits. As soon as a comet is discovered, astronomers make measurements of its position to try to settle what orbit the comet is in. Many comets with an orbital period up to 100 years are in elongated elliptical orbits that extend out to Neptune's orbit and beyond. The faster comets with longer period might come from the Oort cloud at distances up to 1 light year or even further. A small class of comets come from outside the solar system and these are noted by their high speed and hyperbolic orbits which show they will make one visit and disappear off again.
Does a meteor orbit the sun?
Meteors do not orbit the Sun. Meteors are small particles that enter Earth's atmosphere and burn up as they frictionally interact with the air. They come from the debris left behind by comets or asteroids orbiting the Sun.
How many years does it take for haleys comet to come bythe earth?
It takes roughly 75 years for Halley's comet to come by the earth. All comets orbit the sun, but they do not all originate from the same place, which accounts for their paths and how long their individual orbit takes.
Is Saturn part of the Oort cloud?
No. The Oort cloud is way beyond the orbit of Saturn. It's where many of the comets come from.
Where do long period comets cycling over 200 years come from?
Long period comets originate in the Oort Cloud.
Where is Halley's comet going to be?
Like most comets, Halley's Comet has a very eccentric orbit. Most of the time it is far away from the Sun (and therefore from us); it comes near us once every 75-76 years. It is expected to come near us next time in the year 2061.
Are comets stars that contain ice and dust?
Comets are relatively small chunks of rock and ice that orbit the sun, sometimes they come close but usually are far out beyond the orbit of Neptune. Stars are different, they are like our sun. Much bigger and hotter but much further away.
Where do comet comet come from?
They come from the outer reaches of space.
