Why Do Comets Have Tails? - Science ABC

Home » Why Do Comets Have Tails » Why Do Comets Have Tails? - Science ABC

Maybe your like

When a comet comes close to the sun, the gas on its surface ionizes, which creates a tail that jets out in the opposite direction.

Astronomy and the wonders of the cosmos seem to sweep us off our feet every day. This makes sense, of course, because the more we learn about celestial objects, the more fascinating they become. The best part about this field of science is that we never seem to run out of things to research. There are countless things that we don’t know or fully understand, which keeps us ready and eager for more.

For instance, have you ever wondered what those glimmering tails behind comets are? Well, you’re about to find out!

Comet on the spaceElements of this image furnished by NASA(muratart)s
A comet streaking through against the black backdrop of space (Photo Credit : muratart/Shutterstock)

When a comet flies close past the sun, the ultraviolet radiation of the sun causes the gas to ionize off the surface of the comet in the form of a tail. Interestingly enough, a comet may not necessarily have just one tail. This phenomenon can be attributed to the fact that the surface of a comet is not even, like that of the planets. Due to this uneven surface, the ionization may end up pumping out multiple jets of magnificent trails.

Recommended Video for you:

What Are Asteroids And Where Do They Come From?

Tag » Why Do Comets Have Tails