Understanding What a Comet Is
A comet is a small icy object that orbits the Sun. It is made of dust, rock, frozen gases, and other materials left over from the early days of the solar system.
How a Comet Behaves
When a comet travels far from the Sun, it stays cold and dark. As it gets closer, the Sun’s heat turns its frozen materials into gas, creating a glowing cloud around the comet.
Why Comets Have Tails
The Sun pushes the comet’s gas and dust outward, forming a tail that always points away from the Sun. This tail is what makes comets bright and easy to spot in the sky.
Where Comets Come From
Most comets come from two distant regions: the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud. These areas hold countless icy objects that occasionally fall toward the Sun.
The Simple Takeaway
A comet is an icy traveler from the outer solar system. When it approaches the Sun, it heats up and forms a glowing tail, creating one of the most impressive sights in the sky.