How do astronomers know a comet’s tail points away from the Sun?
Quick Answer
Solar wind and sunlight push dust and ionized gas away from the Sun, regardless of the comet’s direction of travel. That is why a comet’s tail can point away from the Sun even when the comet is moving another way.
The Full Story
A comet develops two main types of tails as it nears the Sun. Heat causes ice in the nucleus to vaporize, releasing gas and dust; sunlight and the solar wind then sweep those materials away from the Sun. The ion tail is shaped by charged particles in the solar wind, while the dust tail reflects sunlight and often appears curved. This is why the tail direction depends on the Sun’s influence more than on the comet’s path through space.
Key Facts
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"Why a comet’s tail always seems to run from the Sun"
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