6 Characteristics of Comets and Their Parts, Also Learn About Comets That Have Appeared Throughout History

Kapanlagi.com - Space and its contents are always interesting to study. As is known, space is a very vast place. There are many celestial objects in space, one of which is a comet. Comets are different from planets, meteors, and other celestial objects. This can be seen from the distinctive characteristics of comets.

Comets are celestial objects formed from gas and frozen dust, so they are solid and small in size. Comets are often referred to as tail stars. However, because of this term, many people equate comets with stars. In fact, there are also many who consider comets and meteors to be the same. However, comets, meteors, and stars are three different things.

So, what are the characteristics of comets and what interesting facts are there about comets? Summarized from various sources, here is the review.

1. Characteristics of Comets

(credit: freepik)

As mentioned earlier, a comet is a celestial object that has different characteristics compared to other celestial objects.Comets have their own unique characteristics.Here are some characteristics of comets.

1.Does Not Emit its Own Light
As mentioned earlier, comets and stars are two different things.One difference between comets and stars is the origin or source of light.Stars are celestial objects that can emit their own light.Unlike stars, comets cannot emit their own light.

For a long time, many people thought that the light from comets was caused by friction with the atmosphere. However, it turns out that the light on comets is actually a reflection from stars.That is why comets are referred to as 'star with a tail'.

2.Composed of Frozen Dust
As mentioned earlier, comets consist of dust and gas that freezes.This freezing of gas and dust occurs when the comet is not under the sunlight.When approaching the sun, some of the comet's composition evaporates.This is what eventually forms the comet, resembling a head and a tail.

3.Has a Long Tail
One of the most common characteristics of comets is the presence of a long tail. Even some sources mention that the length of a comet's tail can reach millions of kilometers. The length of the comet's tail will greatly depend on the distance between the comet and the sun.

The closer the comet is to the sun, the more gas and dust material will evaporate. As a result, the comet's tail will appear longer.

4. Has an Orbit Line
Although not classified as a planet, it turns out that comets also have an orbit line. Interestingly, the orbit line of comets is not like the regular orbit line of planets. Comets have various forms of orbit lines. Starting from elongated, hyperbolic, to parabolic.

5. Shining
Like most celestial objects, comets also emit light. The shining characteristics of comets make them easy to see and observe. Comets do not produce their own light. The light of comets comes from the reflection of light from other celestial objects, such as stars. In addition, the light of comets will also become brighter when experiencing friction with the atmosphere layer.

6. Appears when Far from the Sun
Although emitting light, seeing comets with the naked eye is not an easy thing. Comets will only be clearly visible when they are far from the sun. That's why comets are often visible at night.

2. Types of Comets

(credit: freepik)

One of the most prominent characteristics of comets is the presence of a tail. Based on the length of their tails, comets are divided into two types, namely long-tailed comets and short-tailed comets.

1. Long-Tailed Comets
Long-tailed comets are a type of comet that has an orbit far from the sun, making them relatively colder. Therefore, these comets absorb more gases in their surroundings. As a result, when the comet is close to the sun, the evaporating gas will be more abundant. Consequently, the comet will have a very long tail.

2. Short-Tailed Comets
In contrast to long-tailed comets, short-tailed comets have orbits that are closer to the sun. Consequently, the area where the comet orbits is relatively hotter and fewer gases are absorbed. As a result, there is not much evaporating part of the comet, and the tail it possesses is short.

3. Parts of a Comet

(credit: freepik)

Broadly speaking, comets are composed of gas and frozen dust. However, upon closer examination, comets have several parts. Here are some parts of a comet.

1. Nucleus
Comets have a part called the nucleus. The nucleus of a comet can be seen when the comet is far from the sun. The comet's nucleus is denser. The nucleus of a comet is formed from the evaporation of ice.

2. Coma
The second part of a comet is called the coma. Generally, the coma is the part of the comet filled with gas. The coma covers the nucleus of the comet. The coma is also often referred to as the concentrated area because the comet's nucleus is exposed to vapor.

3. Hydrogen
Surprisingly, there is a layer of hydrogen in the comet. This layer of hydrogen is located around the coma. This layer cannot be seen by the human eye. Shaped like a cloud, this layer is very thick with a diameter that can reach 20 million kilometers.

4. Tail
The tail of a comet is made of glowing gas that only appears when the comet is near the sun. The length of the comet's tail can reach tens of kilometers.

4. Comets That Have Appeared

(credit: freepik)

Throughout history, comets have appeared several times and can be seen and observed from Earth. Based on these observations, we now know the characteristics of comets. Here are some comets that have appeared.

1. Halley's Comet is one of the most famous comets. This comet passes close to Earth periodically, approximately every 75-76 years. The last time Halley's Comet appeared was in 1986.

2. De Kock-Paraskevopoulos Comet appeared in 1941.

3. Hale-Bopp Comet appeared in 1997.

4. Ikeya-Seki Comet appeared in 1965.

5. West Comet appeared in 1976.

6. McNaught Comet appeared in 2007.

7. Eclipse Comet appeared in 1948.

8. Kohoutek Comet appeared in 1973.

9. Bennett Comet appeared in 1970.

10. Lovejoy C/2011 W3 Comet appeared in 2011.

11. Mellish Comet appeared in 1917.

Those are some reviews about the characteristics of comets, including their parts, types, and some famous comets that have appeared throughout history. Hopefully, it is useful and can broaden our knowledge.

(kpl/psp)