All celestial objects found within our Solar System have unique characteristics based on their movement, surface features, atmosphere (if there is one), and locations in space.
Comets
Comets have a main body or head made up of ice, methane, ammonia and/or dust as well as a characteristic tail that emerges as the comet gets closer to the Sun during its orbit.
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Oort Cloud
The Kuiper Belt shouldn't be confused with the Oort Cloud. The Oort cloud is an even more distant, spherical region of icy, comet-like celestial bodies that surrounds our Solar System. Both the Oort Cloud and the Kuiper Belt are thought to be sources of comets.
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Topic Tips
- Comets are usually made up of ice and dust and, when near the Sun, a “tail” of gas and dust will appear.
- Comets have very long elliptical orbits stretching far out past Neptune's orbit around the Sun.