Comets – Facts and Information about Comets | Space.com

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Comets Overview

A comet is an icy body that releases gas or dust. They are often compared to dirty snowballs, though recent research has led some scientists to call them snowy dirtballs. Comets contain dust, ice, carbon dioxide, ammonia, methane and more. Some researchers think comets might have originally brought some of the water and organic molecules to Earth that now make up life here.

Comets orbit the sun, but most are believed to inhabit in an area known as the Oort Cloud, far beyond the orbit of Pluto. Occasionally a comet streaks through the inner solar system; some do so regularly, some only once every few centuries. Many people have never seen a comet, but those who have won't easily forget the celestial show.

Physical Characteristics

The solid nucleus or core of a comet consists mostly of ice and dust coated with dark organic material, with the ice composed mainly of frozen water but perhaps other frozen substances as well, such as ammonia, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane. The nucleus might have a small rocky core.

As a comet gets closer to the sun, the ice on the surface of the nucleus begins turning into gas, forming a cloud known as the coma. Radiation from the sun pushes dust particles away from the coma, forming a dust tail, while charged particles from the sun convert some of the comet's gases into ions, forming an ion tail. Since comet tails are shaped by sunlight and the solar wind, they always point away from the sun.

The nuclei of most comets are thought to measure 10 miles (16 km) or less. Some comets have comas that can reach nearly 1 million miles (1.6 million kilometers) wide, and some have tails reaching 100 million miles (160 million kilometers) long.

We can see a number of comets with the naked eye when they pass close to the sun because their comas and tails reflect sunlight or even glow because of energy they absorb from the sun. However, most comets are too small or too faint to be seen without a telescope.

Comets leave a trail of debris behind them that can lead to meteor showers on Earth. For instance, the Perseid meteor shower occurs every year between August 9 and 13 when the Earth passes through the orbit of the Swift-Tuttle comet.

Orbital Characteristics

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Comets pick up third straight win over Heat

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The Utica Comets beat the Abbotsford Heat for the third consecutive time on Wednesday.

image credit: Utica Comets photo

The Abbotsford Heat have been flying high atop the AHL standings for the better part of the season, but they seem to have a terrible time with the team at the bottom.

The Utica Comets, the Vancouver Canucks affiliate, won their third straight head-to-head meeting with the Heat, knocking off the Abby squad 4-2 on Wednesday at Utica Memorial Auditorium.

The Heat, in fairness, were missing leading scorer Ben Street (flu) and red-hot left winger Michael Ferland (lower body injury), but Sven Baertschi, recently reassigned to the AHL club by the Calgary Flames, made his debut.

Baertschi didnt dent the scoresheet, though he registered two shots on goal and a -1 rating.

The Comets, meanwhile, raced out to a quick 2-0 lead on goals by Kellan Lain and Patrick Mullen, resulting in Heat goalie Joni Ortio getting the hook for the first time this season. He was replaced by Joey MacDonald at the 16:16 mark of the first period.

Brett Olson drew the Heat to within a goal at 7:13 of the second, but Mullen notched his second of the game on a power play later in the frame.

Uticas Alex Biega scored an empty-netter with 58 seconds remaining in the third, and Heat defenceman Brady Lamb rounded out the scoring with a late man-advantage marker. Comets goalie Joacim Eriksson picked up the win with a 26-save performance.

The Comets (9-15-2, 20 points) are still in last place overall despite the victory, while the Heat (20-8-2, 42 points) now find themselves dislodged from their first-place perch in both the Western Conference and AHL overall standings.

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Comets pick up third straight win over Heat

Comets Welcome Back Old Rival

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December 20, 2013 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Missouri Comets INDEPENDENCE, MO (December 20, 2013) - Riding a three-game winning streak, the Missouri Comets get ready to welcome the expansion St. Louis Ambush to the Independence Events Center on Sunday afternoon. This is actually the third meeting of the I-70 series between these two teams, with the Comets victorious in two trips to their rival earlier this season. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:10p.m. CT and the first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a Harry S. Truman Comets Bobblehead.

Coming off arguably their best game of the season, the Comets are looking to continue their successful start to this year's campaign. Winners of three straight games, the team has exploded on offense. Missouri has scored more points than any other team in the league, despite having played fewer games than all but the Baltimore Blast. The Comets average 19 points per game and have four players with 10 or more points so far this season. The team has balanced their game with a defense that has only allowed ten goals over the past three games.

The St. Louis Ambush are two games into their four-game December road trip. Last weekend they claimed victory against the previously unbeaten Syracuse Silver Knights before handing the Rochester Lancers only their second victory on Sunday. Against the Comets they have lost by a large margin (28-7 on November 23rd) and in overtime (12-10 on November 29th). They are led by 6'2" Odaine Sinclair and 6'3" Daniel Antoniuk, who use their size advantage well, scoring over half of their team's goals.

The first 2,500 fans to enter the Independence Events Center on Sunday will receive a Harry S. Truman Bobblehead courtesy of Independence Tourism. The Comets Family Four Pack (four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas) is still available for $44 plus fees at all Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com.

For more information please call 855.4KC.GOAL or email jhusted@kcprosoccer.com.

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Comets Cool Abbotsford 4-2

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December 18, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets The Utica Comets made it three in a row both on home ice and against the Abbotsford Heat as they skated to a 4-2 victory at the Utica Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday night. The Comets, who have now started a season long seven game home stand perfect with a four of a possible four points, reached the 20 point mark on the season with the victory.

Patrick Mullen tied his career high with two goals, while Kellan Lain and Alex Biega also found the score sheet for the Comets. Joacim Eriksson, who earned his third victory in as many starts, made 24 of 26 saves in one of his finest performances of the season. Alex Friesen picked up two assists for his first points as a Comet, while Cal O'Reilly extended his point streak on home ice to five games with an assist on Mullen's second goal.

The Comets opened the scoring at the 14:55 mark of the first period as Kellan Lain parked his 6'6" frame in front of the Abbotsford goalmouth and buried a centering feed from Alex Mallet. Lain's goal, his fourth of the season, was the second in as many games the big center has found the back of the net. Mallet picked up his first assist as a Comet, while Peter Andersson picked up a helper for the second game in a row with the secondary assist.

Utica doubled its advantage less than two minutes later as a series of opportunities for the Comets ended with Patrick Mullen putting a rebound home on the backhand. Colin Stuart picked up the primary assist, while center Alex Friesen added his first point of the season on the play. The Comets ended the first ahead or tied for the fifth straight time this season against the Heat, despite being outshot 11-9.

Brett Olsen halved the Utica lead 7:13 into the second period as he beat Eriksson top shelf from the left hand circle. The Heat centerman took a feed from teammate Max Reinhart and found space around the Utica defense for Abbotsford's first of the night. Chad Billins picked up the second assist on the play as he moved into a tie for third in the AHL in assists, with 20.

The Comets regained their two-goal advantage just over three minutes later as they converted on a two-man advantage. Mullen fired his second goal of the evening past Joey MacDonald on a twisted wrist shot from the point. Mullen, who scored two goals for the second time in his career, picked up assists from Pascal Pelletier and Cal O'Reilly on the play. The goal marked the ninth time in the last twelve games where the Comets have scored on the power play.

Utica held the Heat to just six shots for the entirety of the third period with a stellar defensive effort. Alex Biega put the icing on the cake with a shorthanded, empty-net goal with just 58 seconds left in the game. Alex Friesen made it a multi-point evening with an assist on the play, while Biega's goal was his first as a Comet.

Abbotsford narrowed the gap by one on a late power-play goal from Braden Lamb with just 22 seconds left in the game. Lamb ripped a feed from Heat captain Dean Arsene past Eriksson to cut the final margin to two. Carter Bancks also picked up an assist on the play.

The Comets continue their string of games on home ice as the Heat return to The AUD on Friday for the sixth meeting of the season between the two teams. Friday evening's game is the last for the Comets before a holiday break that spans until Dec. 27. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.

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Comets Cool Abbotsford 4-2

Comets Beat Heat 4-2

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December 18, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL) Abbotsford Heat Utica, NY - The Abbotsford Heat lost to the Utica Comets (AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks) 4-2 on Wednesday night at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The Heat remain in first place in the Western Conference with a 20-8-1-1 record and 42 points.

The Comets scored two goals in the opening period and did not relinquish their lead all game. Joacim Eriksson's 26 saves and Patrick Mullen's two goals was the difference for the Comets. The Heat were without Ben Street (flu) and Michael Ferland (lower body injury), but Sven Baertschi made his Heat debut.

In the opening period, the Comets got on the board first on a goal from Kellan Lain at 14:55. Less than two minutes later, Patrick Mullen made it 2-0 Utica, which ended Joni Ortio's night as Joey MacDonald came on relief. Shots on goal were 11-9 in favour of the Heat.

Both teams exchanged goals in the second period. Brett Olson cut the deficit to one with his sixth goal of the season, assisted by Max Reinhart and Chad Billins at 7:13. At 10:45, The Comets restored their two goal lead on a five on three power play goal from Mullen, which was his second of the game.

With the Heat down 3-1 in the final minutes, Alex Biega scored an empty net goal at 19:02 to give the Comets their largest lead of the evening. Brady Lamb countered with a late power play goal with 22 seconds remaining, assisted by Dean Arsene and Carter Bancks.

The Heat were one out of five on the power play and killed off three of four penalties in the game.

Joey MacDonald was charged with the loss for the Abbotsford Heat as he turned away 17 of 18 shots while Joacim Eriksson picked up the win stopping 26 of 28 shots.

The Heat will play the Utica Comets (AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks) in a rematch on Friday night and then end their three game road trip against the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) on Sunday. The Heat will return home for a post-Christmas series with the Oklahoma City Barons (AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers) on Friday December 27th and Saturday December 28th at the AESC (7:00PM). December 27th will feature a Legends of Hockey appearance by Oilers legend Grant Fuhr, with an autograph session on the AESC concourse at 6pm.

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Comets Beat Heat 4-2

Comets in the Community

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December 19, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets The Utica Comets came off of their busiest weekend of the season to date, which consisted of three games in three days, but the Comets hit the ground running in the community.

It all began last Thursday as the Comets were back at the Stuff The Bus campaign at the New Hartford Shopping Center. Alex Biega and John Negrin were present to lend their help and support for the ongoing campaign, where they greeted local kids who came with toys to assist those in need.

"We're here to give gifts to the kids who don't get the chance to get a gift on Christmas morning," Negrin said. "I'm really happy to be here and I hope these kids are happy too."

The Stuff The Bus Campaign collected over 15,000 toys for children in need throughout the Mohawk Valley in 2012 and is looking to exceed that number this year. The Comets have lent their assistance, through a toy drive at The AUD and multiple appearances at toy drives throughout New Hartford.

"I think it's unbelievable to be down here, it's really what Christmas is all about and the spirit of the holidays," Biega said. "Unfortunately a lot of kids wake up without the luxury of finding a gift and I think people are making great donations. It's a wonderful cause in the city of Utica."

On Monday and Tuesday, the Comets were on the ice at night to help youth hockey players with the Robbie Glantz Skating Clinic. Adam Polasek, Henrik Tommernes and John Negrin were out on Monday to help teach local youth players proper power skating techniques. Team President Robert Esche was back on the ice the following night for the second night of the program, along with team broadcaster Brendan Burke as the Comets prepared for their game the following night.

Au Contraire to many of the Comets' appearances in the community, Alex Mallet and Alex Grenier were at the Sauquoit Central School District to help students in their French class. The Comet players, both natives of French speaking areas of the Province of Quebec, had fun as they helped students learn some hockey related French phrases to benefit their education.

"It was such a great experience having the Comets with us at Sauquoit," said Alissa Reilly-Stewart, the French teacher at Sauquoit High School. "We thank them so much."

The Comets were at the Sangertown Mall from late Thursday night to sign autographs and join forces with St. Nick himself to help bring in the holiday season. Darren Archibald, Alex Friesen, Joe Cannata and Kellan Lain were on hand for pictures and signings and the confirmation that Santa Claus has indeed come to town.

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Comets in the Community

Comets continue solid play on their home ice

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UTICA The Utica Comets captured their third victory in a row on their home ice on Wednesday night with a 4-2 victory over the Abbotsford Heat at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

The Comets, who were playing the second of seven straight home games, reached the 20-point mark on the season with the victory.

Patrick Mullen tied his career high with two goals, while Kellan Lain and Alex Biega also found the scoresheet for the Comets. Alex Friesen picked up two assists for his first points as a Comet, while Cal OReilly extended his point streak on home ice to five games with an assist on Mullens second goal. Goaltender Joacim Eriksson, who earned his third victory in as many starts, made 24 saves in between the pipes.

The Comets got the advantage on the Heat early on by grabbing a 2-0 lead in the first period. The 6-foot-6 center Lain fired in the first Comets goal at 14:55 mark when he buried a centering feed from Alex Mallet to put Utica on the scoreboard first.

Utica doubled its advantage less than two minutes later with Mullens backhanded shot off a rebound, as Colin Stuart picked up the primary assist, while the center Friesen added his first point of the season on the play.

Abbotsfords Brett Olsen cut Uticas lead in half at 7:13 into the second period when he put one in top shelf from the left hand circle, but Utica responded with two more unanswered goals when Mullen fired his second goal of the evening on a two-man advantage three minutes later, and Biega put the game away with a shorthanded, empty-net goal with just 58 seconds left in the contest.

The Comets continue their string of games on home ice as the Heat return to the Aud for another matchup on Friday at 7 p.m.

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Comets continue solid play on their home ice

Comets fend off Wildcat attack

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FORRESTON The Newman Comets fended off a fierce Wildcat attack Tuesday to secure a 66-57 Forreston tournament quarterfinal victory.

River Ridge (4-5, 1-0 NUIC West) shot the ball well in the first half, thanks in part to a 50-percent effort from behind the arc. This strong showing was led by junior Brenden Dauphin, who hit a pair of 3s in the second quarter. He scored eight of his 12-points in the second quarter.

Dauphin's free throws with 2:35 remaining in the first half gave his Wildcats a 26-25 lead.

This stunned the Comets (7-0, 1-0 Three Rivers North), as the No. 10 seed was threatening to knock out a second seeded Newman team.

"It wasn't a good feeling," sophomore Noah McCarty said. "We should have been leading from the beginning. We didn't come out and play very well as a team, and it seemed like an individual effort up until then. Coach Sharp got us all together and started talking to us about how we needed to play team defense to put us back in front."

McCarty responded, as he made a pair of baskets to restore the Comet lead at 29-26 with 43.9 seconds left. He finished a rebound short of a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds.

The lead was short, as Dauphin answered with his second 3 of the half to tie things at 29-29 with 25 seconds left.

"I thought offensively they executed a lot better than what we did in the first half," Newman coach Ray Sharp said. "We rushed our shots, where as they were a lot more patient and worked hard to get a good shot. That was the difference in the first half. They were 4 of 8 from 3 while we were 0 of 8 from 3, and that's a big difference. Probably the biggest one in the first half."

A pair of baskets was exchanged by each team before halftime, as junior Nolan McGinn completed a strong putback with under 10 seconds left. The Wildcats then inbounded and dribbled coast-to-coast in enough time to knock down a buzzer-beater layup to tie the score at 31-31.

Halftime adjustments were made for the Comets.

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Comets fend off Wildcat attack

Free throws bring Comets down

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The West Liberty Comets boys' basketball team was defeated 47-66 by the Northeast Rebels of Goose Lake at West Liberty Dec. 6. It was the Comets' first official game of the season.

"I give a lot of credit to Northeast," West Liberty Head Coach James Laughlin said. "They're a good-shooting team. I told the kids beforehand that they're going to be shooters, and we need to make sure that we identify those shooters and get a hand up."

The Rebels made nine three-point shots in the game and fouled the Comets frequently. Unfortunately, the Comets only made 15 of 31 from the charity stripe.

"We've been a poor free throw shooting team in practice (as well), Laughlin said. "We're working on it. We haven't gotten there yet. We need to make sure we keep improving on that. It bit us in the butt tonight."

First quarter

Troy Heick faced off against Northeast's Nick Wall for the tipoff, and the tip went to Brett Becker for the Comets. A charging foul gave the ball to the Rebels, but Riley Anderson got a steal, and Kyle Miller hit a three-point shot, assist Becker. The Rebels answered with a three to tie the game at 3 to 3.

Carl Guardado made a basket and was fouled on the shot. He missed the free throw, but the Comets were up 5-3, and Becker grabbed the board. Guardado got an offensive rebound, then Miller got a putback basket for a 7-3 West Liberty lead.

The Rebels turned the ball over then got a block and a three-point shot. The next score was midway through the quarter with a bucket by Miller, assist Becker for a 9-6 score. Northeast scored a three-pointer with 3:48 on the clock to tie the game at 9-9.

The next seven points went to the Rebels on an outside two-pointer, a three-point shot, and a drive inside for a 9-16 tally. The Comets called a time out with 2:04 left in the quarter.

Cooper Koenig drove to the basket and scored for an 11-16 score. The final basket of the quarter was a very long three-pointer by the Rebels, who took a 19-11 lead into the second quarter.

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Free throws bring Comets down

Comets win on tiebreaker

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The Newman Comets and Morrison Mustangs wrestled to a 36-36 tie on Thursday in Sterling. The Comets were awarded the win on the first tiebreaker. Newman also beat Polo 42-37.

The Comets had four wrestlers win a pair of contested matches. Hunter Webb had a pair of pins at 113. Jake Snow (152) and Brady Rude (160) both won by pin against Polo and by technical fall against Morrison. Nyle Nestor had a pin at 285 against Polo, and beat Morrison's Jesse Lilly 2-1.

Morrison had two wins in contested matches. Joe Eads pinned J.D. Ackert in 1:05 at 106 pounds, and Tyler Todd pinned Noah Leffelman in 1:32 at 220. Eads won his match against Polo. The Mustangs took that dual 54-26.

Polo's Tim Cholke and Miguel Dominguez each won contested matches against the Comets.

Panthers split in Fulton: Erie-Prophetstown picked up a 52-24 win over the host Steamers, but fell to 1A power Mercer County 38-27. Fulton also lost to the Golden Eages, 53-24.

Josh Wheeler and Dylan Binion were the only double-winners in contested matches for the Panthers. Wheeler pinned Mercer County's Made Tracey in 3:08 at 138 pounds, and won an 11-2 major decision over Fulton's Aaron Field. Binion won 5-4 over Mercer County's Curtis VanWinkle at 152 pounds. He also pinned Fulton's Dustin Rowland in 1:17.

Geneseo 60, Sterling 6: The Warriors lost a NIB-12 West match to the No. 2-ranked team in Class 2A at Musgrove Fieldhouse.

Jaden Urrutia had the Warriors' lone points with a pin of Chase Boone in 4:30 at 113 pounds.

LaSalle-Peru 52, Dixon 21: The Dukes lost a NIB-12 West dual match to the Cavaliers in LaSalle-Peru. No results were submitted.

Boys bowling

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Comets win on tiebreaker

Psoriasis – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Psoriasis (pronounced //; from Greek , meaning "itching condition" or "being itchy",[1]psora "itch" + -sis "action, condition"; also termed psoriasis vulgaris),[2] is a common, chronic immune-mediated skin disease which may also affect the joints.[2]

Psoriasis is characterized by scaly, erythematous (reddened) patches, papules, and plaques which are usually pruritic (itchy).[2] There are five main types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, and erythrodermic.[3] The most common form, plaque psoriasis, is commonly seen as red and white hues of scaly patches appearing on the top first layer of the epidermis (skin). Some patients, though, have no dermatological signs or symptoms.[medical citation needed] In plaque psoriasis, skin rapidly accumulates at these sites, which gives it a silvery-white appearance. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees, but can affect any area, including the scalp, palms of hands and soles of feet, and genitals. In contrast to eczema, psoriasis is more likely to be found on the outer side of the joint. Fingernails and toenails are frequently affected (psoriatic nail dystrophy) and can be seen as an isolated sign. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis. Up to 30% of individuals with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis.[4]

The causes of psoriasis are not fully understood. It is generally considered a genetic disease which can be triggered or influenced by environmental factors.[2] Local psoriatic changes can be triggered by an injury to the skin known as the Koebner phenomenon.[5] Various environmental factors have been suggested as aggravating to psoriasis, including oxidative stress,[6]stress, withdrawal of systemic corticosteroid, as well as other environmental factors, but few have shown statistical significance.[7] Psoriasis occurs when the immune system mistakes a normal skin cell for a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that cause overproduction of new skin cells. It is not contagious.[8]

There is no cure,[8] but various treatments can help to control the symptoms.[9][10] There are many treatments available, but because of its chronic recurrent nature, psoriasis is a challenge to treat. Withdrawal of corticosteroids (topical steroid cream) can aggravate the condition due to the 'rebound effect' of corticosteroids.[11]

The disorder is a chronic, recurring condition that varies in severity from minor localized patches to complete body coverage. It occurs in 1-3% of the general population.[8]

Psoriasis is classified as a papulosquamous disorder.[4] It is most commonly classified according to historical morphologic descriptions.[2] Variants include plaque, pustular, guttate, and flexural psoriasis. This section describes each type (with ICD-10 code).[12]

Another classification takes into account genetic and demographic factors. Type 1 has a positive family history, starts before the age of 40 and is associated with the human leukocyte antigen, HLA-Cw6. Conversely, Type 2 does not show a family history, presents before age 40 and is not associated with HLA-Cw6.[13] Type 1 accounts for about 75% of persons with psoriasis.[14]

Psoriasis can also be classified into nonpustular and pustular types as follows.[15]

Pustular psoriasis (L40.13, L40.82) appears as raised bumps that are filled with noninfectious pus (pustules).[17] The skin under and surrounding the pustules is red and tender. Pustular psoriasis can be localised, commonly to the hands and feet (palmoplantar pustulosis), or generalised with widespread patches occurring randomly on any part of the body. Types include:

Additional types of psoriasis include:[18]

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Psoriasis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Psoriasis – National Library of Medicine – PubMed Health

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Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation. Most people with psoriasis have thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches called scales.A.D.A.M.

Psoriasis is very common. Anyone can get it, but it most commonly begins between ages 15 and 35.

You cannot catch psoriasis or spread it to others.

Psoriasis seems to be passed down through families. Doctors think it may be an autoimmune condition. This occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue.

Usually, skin cells grow deep in the skin and rise to the surface about once a month. When you have psoriasis, this process takes place is too fast. Dead skin cells build up on the skin's surface.

The following may trigger an attack of psoriasis or make the condition harder to treat:

Bacteria or viral infections, including strep throat and upper respiratory infections

Dry air or dry skin Injury to the skin, including cuts, burns, and insect bites

Stress

Too little sunlight

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Psoriasis - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health