…Space Facts
Quick Facts
Comets are icy objects that orbit the sun. When they get close to the sun, they heat up and the solar wind gives them an atmosphere (called a coma), as well as a tail, making them look like they are burning in the sky.
The name “comet” comes from the Latin word cometa, which in turn comes from a Greek word which means “wearing hair”. Thus, the word “comet” means “star with hair”.
Halley’s Comet is the most famous comet, completing its orbit of the sun every seventy-five years. Its most notable appearance was in 1066, before William the Conqueror invaded England, and is said to have been a sign of his apparent victory.
(Taken from 101 Facts… The Solar System by IC Stars & IP Factly)
Comets are featured in the following books:
101 Facts… The Solar System
101 Facts.. Space
Video Playlist
The YouTube video playlist below contains videos about comets. Details of the videos featured are underneath.
The Playlist:
- Comet ISON Fizzles by NASA Goddard
- ScienceCasts: Comet of the Century by ScienceAtNASA
- ScienceCasts: Sunset Comet by ScienceAtNASA
- ScienceCasts: A Meteor Shower from Halley’s Comet by ScienceAtNASA
- ScienceCasts: Rock Comet Meteor Shower by ScienceAtNASA
- ScienceCasts: Mission to Land on a Comet by ScienceAtNASA
More space video playlists include:
The Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, The Moon (& other moons), Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Beyond Neptune, Asteroid Belt, Comets, Black Holes, Dwarf Planets and Stars.
A full list of space videos can be found at ipfactly.com/space-videos
