komeet

Komeet is the Estonian term for a comet, a celestial body that orbits the Sun and develops a visible atmosphere or coma, and often a tail, when heated by solar radiation.

Origin: The Estonian word komeet is derived from the international term for comet. It is cognate with Finnish komeetta and German Komet, and ultimately traces to the Greek komētēs via Latin cometa.

Usage and form: In Estonian astronomy and education, komeet is used to refer to any member of the comet class. The plural form commonly used is komeedid.

Characteristics and observation: Comets typically consist of ice, dust and rocky material. When approaching the Sun, they release gases that form a coma and a tail that usually points away from the Sun due to solar wind and radiation pressure. They are observed with telescopes, binoculars, or spacecraft, and their appearances can vary from bright naked-eye comets to faint, transient objects.

See also: Comet.