Key FactsComets<\/p>\n
Comets are frozen leftovers from the formation of the solar system composed of dust, rock, and ices. They range from a few miles to tens of miles wide, but as they orbit closer to the Sun, they heat up and spew gases and dust into a glowing head that can be larger than a planet. This material forms a tail that stretches millions of miles.<\/p>\n
Comets are cosmic snowballs of frozen gases, rock, and dust that orbit the Sun. When frozen, they are the size of a small town. 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 stretches away from the Sun for millions of miles. There are likely billions of comets orbiting our Sun in the Kuiper Belt and even more distant Oort Cloud.<\/p>\n
The current number of known comets is: <\/p>\n
Go farther. Explore Comets in Depth <\/p>\n
Key Science Targets<\/p>\n
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Read more:<\/p>\n
Overview | Comets NASA Solar System Exploration<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Key FactsComets Comets are frozen leftovers from the formation of the solar system composed of dust, rock, and ices. They range from a few miles to tens of miles wide, but as they orbit closer to the Sun, they heat up and spew gases and dust into a glowing head that can be larger than a planet Continue reading