Comets Flashcards
What are comets made of?
Comets are made up of frozen gases, rock, and dust that orbit the sun. They are also known as “dirty snowballs.”
What happens when a comet approaches the sun?
As the comet approaches the sun, it heats up, and its giant head begins to glow.
What are the three major parts of a comet?
The three major parts of a comet are the nucleus, the coma, and the tail.
What is the composition of a comet’s nucleus?
The nucleus is solid and made of rock, dust, and frozen gases. It is generally around 50 km across or less.
What is the coma of a comet?
The coma is a cloud or envelope of gas created around the nucleus when the comet gets close to the sun and the gases sublimate.
How large can the coma of a comet be?
The coma of some comets, like Comet Holmes, can be larger than the diameter of the sun.
What causes a comet’s tail?
The radiation and solar wind from the sun push dust particles away from the coma, forming the comet’s tail.
What is an ion tail of a comet?
An ion tail is a type of tail that may extend to 1 astronomical unit (AU) or more.
Where does the word “comet” come from?
The word “comet” comes from the Greek word “kometes,” meaning “long-haired star.”
What is the difference between long-period and short-period comets?
Long-period comets come from the Oort cloud, while short-period comets originate from the Kuiper belt.
What is the Oort cloud?
The Oort cloud is found at the outermost part of the solar system and is believed to be the source of long-period comets.
Where is the Kuiper belt located?
The Kuiper belt is located near the orbits of Neptune up to Pluto and is where most comets are found.
How often does Halley’s Comet appear near Earth?
Halley’s Comet appears near Earth every 75 to 76 years, and is visible to the human eye twice in a lifetime.
What were the ancient beliefs about comets?
Ancient people believed comets were signs of misfortune, war, and death, and thought the gods sent them as messages.
Who was Edmond Halley and what did he contribute to comet studies?
Edmond Halley was an English astronomer who studied comets and predicted that Halley’s Comet returns every 75-76 years. The comet was named after him.
