komeeta

Komeeta is a Finnish word that translates to "comet" in English. A comet is a celestial body consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust and, when near the Sun, a "tail" of gas and dust particles pointing away from the Sun. Comets originate in the outer solar system, in regions such as the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud. They are often described as "dirty snowballs" due to their composition of ice, dust, and frozen gases.

When a comet's orbit brings it close to the Sun, the ice within its nucleus begins to sublimate, turning directly from solid to gas. This process releases dust particles, and the solar wind and solar radiation push these gases and dust away from the nucleus, forming the characteristic coma and tail. The tail always points away from the Sun, regardless of the comet's direction of travel.

Comets have been observed by humans for millennia and have often been subjects of mythology and folklore, sometimes viewed as omens. Studying comets provides valuable insights into the early history of the solar system, as they are thought to be remnants from its formation. Their compositions can reveal information about the conditions and materials present billions of years ago. Notable comets include Halley's Comet, which is visible from Earth approximately every 76 years, and more recently, Comet NEOWISE.