answersLogoWhite

0

This is because as they approach the Sun, gravity acts more on them and they speed up. They then have enough momentum to "sling" themselves back out of the solar system. Gravity will slow them down again as they travel away from the Sun and so on it goes.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

Are comets in circular or elliptical orbits?

Comets typically have elliptical orbits, which means their paths around the Sun are elongated and not perfectly circular. This is due to the gravitational influence of other celestial bodies, causing their orbits to be more elongated.


Do comets have highly elliptical orbits around the sun?

Virtually NOTHING in space is in a circular orbit; every body out there is in an elliptical orbit. Some are CLOSE to circular, but I don't believe than any are quite exact. Comets especially are in VERY elliptical orbits. If their orbits were even nearly circular, their ices and volatile gasses would have been evaporated long ago.


Does the orbit is very elliptical?

No the planet's orbits are not VERY elliptical but yes, they are somewhat elliptical. They are not just rotating in a circle. More like an oval.


Do comets orbit around the sun just like planets?

Yes, they do. But their orbits are highly eccentric. That means that their orbit first takes them very close to the Sun and then very far away, making the orbit very elongated. Also, all the planets orbit the Sun in more-or-less the same plane. ie, All the orbits are in line (Picture a disc). The orbit of most comets, on the other hand, are not in the same plane. Check the images in the related links for a better idea on their orbits.


What are large chunks of ice and dust whose orbits are usually very long narrow ellipses?

Comets are large chunks of ice and dust whose orbits are usually very long narrow ellipses.

Related Questions

What members of the solar system have very eccentric orbits?

Comets. Periodic comets have highly eccentric elliptical orbits, with eccentricities.


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.


Are comets in circular or elliptical orbits?

Comets typically have elliptical orbits, which means their paths around the Sun are elongated and not perfectly circular. This is due to the gravitational influence of other celestial bodies, causing their orbits to be more elongated.


Which have the most elliptical and tilted orbits?

Pluto and Eris have the most elliptical and tilted orbits among the known dwarf planets. Pluto's orbit is highly elliptical and tilted compared to the eight planets in our solar system. Eris also has a very elliptical orbit and is tilted at a steep angle.


Do comets have highly elliptical orbits around the sun?

Virtually NOTHING in space is in a circular orbit; every body out there is in an elliptical orbit. Some are CLOSE to circular, but I don't believe than any are quite exact. Comets especially are in VERY elliptical orbits. If their orbits were even nearly circular, their ices and volatile gasses would have been evaporated long ago.


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.


What is true about a comet?

Comets have very elliptical orbits that usually take them far beyond the orbit of Pluto, but also take them closer to the Sun than Earth! Comets are held together by frozen gases(:


What are differences of comets meteoroid's asteroids?

Comets : mostly ice & are often in very distant elliptical orbits. Meteoroids and asteroids are usually rocky and/or metallic, asteroids are found in the asteroid belt (between Mars & Jupiter).


What orbit does a comet have?

Orbits move in very elongated elliptical orbits.


Does the orbit is very elliptical?

No the planet's orbits are not VERY elliptical but yes, they are somewhat elliptical. They are not just rotating in a circle. More like an oval.


Do comets orbit around the sun just like planets?

Yes, they do. But their orbits are highly eccentric. That means that their orbit first takes them very close to the Sun and then very far away, making the orbit very elongated. Also, all the planets orbit the Sun in more-or-less the same plane. ie, All the orbits are in line (Picture a disc). The orbit of most comets, on the other hand, are not in the same plane. Check the images in the related links for a better idea on their orbits.


Why do some comets return regularly while others are visible only ounce?

Their orbital distance from the sun and the earth's position closest to them when they return in their orbits. Their orbits are elliptical and many have an apogee very far from the sun while others are much closer.