What is a comet, where does it come from, why does it have long streaming tail?

What is a comet? Where does it come from? How and why does it come near Earth? Why is it seen with a long tail? These are some of the questions that have perplexed scientists and astronomers for a long time. Earlier, most of the questions went unanswered, but with the progress of science and the development of space telescopes and other tools, it is now possible to find some of the answers that have eluded the community of scientists.

Comet Made of Dust, Ice

Scientists have defined a comet as an object made of dust and ice, orbiting the Sun. The comets are identified and best known for their long streaming tails. These are the leftovers from the formation of the solar system about 4.6 billion years ago. These are found in the way out of the solar system.

Comets Near and Far

Some of the comets are located in the disc beyond the orbit of Neptune, this disc is called Kuiper Belt. Comets found in this disc are short-period comets and they generally take less than 200 years to orbit the Sun.

Long Period comets are found in the Oort Cloud, which is sphere-shaped and is located at the outer edge of the solar system, they are 50 times farther away from the Kuiper Belt. They take a much longer time to orbit the Sun. The comet with the longest orbit takes 250,000 years to complete one trip to the Sun.

How Do Comets Come Close to Earth?

The gravitational pull of a star or a planet draws a comet from the Kuiper Belt or Ooter Belt and they rush toward the Sun in a large elliptical path. Some of them go directly to the sun, they are never seen again. Some others swing towards the Sun and then head toward the point they have come from. They are seen in this path.
The nucleus is at the center of the comet, from where dust and ice stretch and get illuminated when the sunlight falls on them. This is seen as a streaming tail.

FAQs:

Q1. What is a comet?
A1. Comets are objects made of dust and ice and orbiting the Sun. They are pulled by the gravitational force of planets and stars and rush to the Sun on an elliptical path. They are seen when they are on this path and come closer to the Earth.

Q2. Why does a come to have a long streaming tail?
A2. Comets are made of a nucleus situated at the center, from where dust and ice stretch for a long distance, they get illuminated when sunlight falls on them. This is seen as a long streaming tail.