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It will eventually dissipate. Comets lose some of their mass every time they get near the sun. The more volatile components evaporate more quickly than the rocks, so over time the rate of outgassing goes down and eventually all you have is a bunch of dust and rocks flying in formation. The reason there are still comets around is that comets only rarely come near the sun. Mostly they orbit on the most remote fringes of the solar system, so cold that any molecule they happen to run into sticks to them. They don't have tails out there, they are just big dirty ice balls. Comets can only come near enough the sun to create a tail if their orbits get disturbed in a profound way, something that doesn't happen often. Once a comet starts orbiting near the sun it won't last long, at least on a cosmic time scale.

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What are comets and meteors made of?

Comets and meteors are made of rocks and boulders same as on earth. But since they are in space for a long time, they might have some differences, little differences.


Why comets halley is an bad omen?

It isn't. Since the times of ancient Greece comets have been believed to be omens of catastrophes. There is no evidence to substantiate such claims. Comets can cause destruction when they collide with Earth. Halley's comet's orbit does not intersect Earth's, so there is no risk of collision.


Who first discovered a comet?

Early Man first noticed comets. Comets were around long before humans.


What do comets and asteroids have in common?

Comets and asteroids are both celestial bodies orbiting the Sun. Comets are icy bodies that develop a tail when passing close to the Sun, while asteroids are rocky or metallic objects that typically orbit in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Both comets and asteroids can occasionally enter Earth's vicinity.


How many years does it take for Halley's comet to come to Earth and when is it next due to pass?

There are comets visible from Earth many nights, they are just too faint to be seen easily. So, there is a continuum of brightness -- comets from very faint to quite bright. The brightest are the spectacular ones that get in the news. Also, bright ones may be discovered not long before they are visible. If I remember correctly, McNaught, of January/February 2007, the second brightest comet since 1935, was discovered about 6 months before it came close.

Related Questions

What did people think of comets in the 1800's?

Comets have been in space since the start of time. In the 1800's there were many people who knew comets where a space phenomena, there were people who thought it was a message from the gods. What people thought of the comets depended on their cultural beliefs.


What are comets and meteors made of?

Comets and meteors are made of rocks and boulders same as on earth. But since they are in space for a long time, they might have some differences, little differences.


Would you Convert 31.5 cm into mm?

i wouldnt, since this gives 315 milimeters, which is a harder number to imagine.


What effects does the sun have on comets?

since the comet is made of ice, when it gets nearer to the sun it melts down because of the heat of the sun


Why comets halley is an bad omen?

It isn't. Since the times of ancient Greece comets have been believed to be omens of catastrophes. There is no evidence to substantiate such claims. Comets can cause destruction when they collide with Earth. Halley's comet's orbit does not intersect Earth's, so there is no risk of collision.


Who first discovered a comet?

Early Man first noticed comets. Comets were around long before humans.


Why are there rivers in Cairo?

There is not reason why for the rivers exsist, they were just created naturally since millions and millions of years.


Where do you get the information that they are asking?

Everywhere since there are millions on here


What is larger thousands of millions or millions of thousands?

Since multiplication is commutative, a thousand millions is the same as a million thousands. They're both one billion.


What small item designed to hold things together was invented in 1858 and has since sold millions and millions?

paperclips


Why do comets glow and look bright?

because Comets reflect light from the sun. This is the same way you see the moon glowing. When a comet's orbit nears the Sun it starts to warm up since they are usually black in colour.


How do desert plants adapt to the hot desert weather?

because then they would be thirsty for more water and since they wouldnt get it they wouldn't survive