For other uses, see Comet (disambiguation). ... A comet is an icy, small Solar System body that warms and begins to release gases when passing close to the Sun, a process called …

Jun 12, 2025 · What Is a Comet? The Short Answer: Comets are large objects made of dust and ice that orbit the Sun. Best known for their long, streaming tails, these ancient objects are …

Apr 24, 2025 · When a comet's orbit brings it close to the Sun, it heats up and spews dust and gases into a giant glowing head larger than most planets. The dust and gases form a tail that …

Apr 29, 2025 · The next comet to reach perihelion is C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), which should become easy to spot with binoculars from the Northern Hemisphere in late October. We'll keep you …

Jul 31, 2023 · Comets are icy leftovers from the formation of the solar system. Explore these 'dirty snowballs' in more detail with our ultimate comet guide.

Jun 7, 2025 · Comet, a small body orbiting the Sun with a substantial fraction of its composition made up of volatile ices. Comets are among the most-spectacular objects in the sky, with their …

Sep 12, 2024 · Meaning of “comet”: The word “comet” comes from the Greek “kometes,” meaning “long hair star,” referring to the comet’s tail. Comets are ancient icy bodies composed of dust …

Nov 28, 2024 · Bottom line: Comets are diffuse balls of ice and dust orbiting the sun. They’re sometimes visible in our skies. A comet’s tail may stretch millions of miles across space. Via …

Oct 16, 2023 · You may have a family member who saw a comet before you were born, or you may have seen one yourself when comet Nishimura passed by Earth in September 2023. But …

Comets A comet's tail can be millions of kilometers in length, but the amount of matter it contains can be held in a large bookbag. Scientists believe that comets are made up of material left …