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Comets

Comets are small solar system bodies that orbit around the Sun. They have a tail (trail of light) when traveling in space.

1,186 Questions

Is a falling star a meteor or meteorite?

A falling star is a meteor. A meteorite is a meteor that has hit the ground.

What part of a comet vaporizes after many trips around the sun?

After many trips around the Sun, the ice in the comet's nucleus has completely vaporized and all that is left is the dust and rock, which are spread throughout the orbit of the original comet.

Why did they name Shoemaker levy nine with a 9?

Shoemaker-Levy 9 was named after the team of scientists who discovered it: Eugene Shoemaker, Carolyn Shoemaker, and David Levy. The "9" refers to the fact that it was the ninth periodic comet discovered by the team.

What happens if a comet hits another planet besides Earth?

There would be a huge collision, upsetting the surface and atmosphere of the planet. Since the mass of the comet would be many times smaller than the planet, the planets orbit would not be significantly effected.

How do breeders get away with legally docking tails?

In the UK it is illegal to dock a dog's tail unless it will be used for work - and even then the dog will not be allowed in show rings. Some breeders dock puppies in other countries and send them to the UK, but the dog's are still barred from shows.

What are particles around the comet?

Particles around a comet usually include dust and gas that are released as the comet approaches the sun. These particles form a glowing cloud called a coma which envelops the nucleus of the comet. As the comet gets closer to the sun, the solar wind pushes on the particles in the coma, creating the tail that points away from the sun.

What is smaller Halley's comet or the moon?

Halley's comet is tiny compared to the moon. The irregularly shaped comet is about about 5 by 10 miles wide while the moon's diameter is over 2000 miles.

Does a comet's tail always point 180 degrees away from its direction of travel?

Yes, a comet's tail always points away from the sun due to the solar wind. As the comet travels in its orbit, the pressure of the solar wind pushes the gas and dust in the tail away from the sun, creating the iconic tail that points in the opposite direction of the comet's movement.

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.

Are comets and asteroids surrounded by hydrogen cloud?

Some comets develop a cloud of hydrogen gas around them when they get close to the sun, due to the sun's radiation breaking apart water molecules in the comet's icy nucleus. This creates a temporary hydrogen cloud known as a coma. Asteroids generally do not have hydrogen clouds since they are composed of rock and metal, lacking the icy material that comets have.

What parts make up a comet and what are they made of?

A comet is composed of a nucleus, coma, hydrogen cloud, dust tail, and ion tail. The nucleus is primarily made of ice, dust, and rocky materials. The coma is a cloud of gas and dust that surrounds the nucleus, while the dust and ion tails are made up of dust particles and ions that are released from the nucleus as the comet gets closer to the sun.

How do you know comets are made of mostly ice?

Yes, they are nick-named 'dirty snowballs' and also contain rocks. What you see as the comet's tail is the ice melting because of the sun. When the comet returns to outer space the tail is no longer present. Gradually, the comets reduce in size because of this melting.

When comets occasionally come close to the sun creating a bright?

When comets come close to the sun, they heat up and release gas and dust, creating a bright tail that is visible from Earth. This process is known as outgassing. The brightness of the comet depends on its size, composition, and proximity to the sun.

Does the solar wind blow away or toward the sun?

The solar wind blows away from the sun in all directions, carrying charged particles and magnetic fields with it.

Why is a comets orbit considered a cycle?

A comets orbit is considered a cycle because a comet circles back in an elliptical orbit.

When will howie's comet come back to earth?

Halley's Comet is expected to return to Earth's vicinity in the year 2061. It follows a periodic orbit around the sun, coming close to Earth roughly every 76 years. The last time it was visible from Earth was in 1986.

Where did Edmond Hally discovered Hally's Comet?

Edmond Halley did not discover Halley's Comet. The comet was actually named after him because he was the first person to calculate its periodicity and predict its return in 1758. The comet has been observed for centuries before Halley made his calculations.

Is halleys comet part of the solar system?

Yes. Halley's Comet is a comet that orbits our sun, and the definition of "Part of the solar system" is 'Any object that orbits our sun.'

Does the the thermosphere block comets?

The thermosphere does not block comets. Comets can enter Earth's atmosphere and reach the surface regardless of the thermosphere.

What do asteroids and comets bring to the earth?

Asteroids and comets can bring elements and compounds that are not abundant on Earth, such as precious metals. They also carry water and organic molecules, which may have been essential for the development of life on our planet. However, they can also pose a threat if they collide with Earth, leading to potential devastation.

When is Haleys commet next due to return to pass earth?

Halley's Comet is expected to return to pass Earth in 2061. It follows a periodic orbit that brings it back approximately every 75-76 years.

How long is comet shoemaker levy 9's orbit period?

That's known as the comet's orbit. Each comet is different - some only taking a few years to complete an orbit, while others can take hundreds of years. The most famous 'Halley's comet' orbits once every 76 years.

How many basic groups are asteroids categorized in?

Asteroids are categorized into three basic groups: C-type (carbonaceous), S-type (silicaceous), and M-type (metallic). These groups are based on their composition, with each group having distinct characteristics based on the types of materials they are made of.

How old would you be on Halleys comet?

Assuming you were born on Earth, you would not age on Halley's comet as it does not have the necessary conditions for human life, such as air, water, and a suitable temperature.