Comet Tail

space · comets · solar system

Powered by the Sun. Solar radiation from the Sun heats up the comet and makes volatile materials vaporize, which creates the tail that streams behind it.

Only visible nearby. Comet tails become bright and visible to us only when the comet travels through the inner Solar System and gets close enough to be warmed by the Sun's energy.

Made of gas and dust. The tail is not solid, but rather a projection of vaporized material and dust particles carried away from the comet nucleus by the Sun's radiation.

Points away from Sun. A comet tail always streams away from the Sun, like hair blowing in the wind, no matter which direction the comet is traveling.