Comets - Information on Comets

Comet Tempel-Tuttle has only been observed during a few of its 33 year cycle apparitions during the past 600 years. However, the orientation of its orbit is such that Tempel-Tuttle intercepts Earth's orbit nearly exactly, making a relatively close approach to the Earth every few passes. The resultant Leonid meteor shower has historically been very spectacular in the few years after Tempel-Tuttle passes perihelion.

Using Newton's new Laws of motion, the astronomer, Edmond Halley, made a prediction in 1705. He stated that a comet which had appeared in 1531, 1607 and 1682 would reappear in 1758. Although he was proven to be correct, Halley did not live to see it. However, the comet was later named in his honor. During the 20th century, Halley's Comet appeared in 1910 and 1986. During that most recent visit, five spacecraft from the USSR, Japan, and the European Community journeyed to Comet Halley.

Throughout history, people have been awed and alarmed by comets, stars with "long hair" that appeared in the sky unannounced and unpredictably. We now know more about comets. We can predict the orbits of many of them, but not all. Discover comets facts and pictures.

In ancient cultures comets were seen as omens and were therefore looked upon with reverence and fear. But these beautiful objects are little more than balls of dust and ice that orbit around our Sun. However, those that do stray into our path can cause significant damage, and may have been responsible for some of histories mass extinctions.

When we think of the solar system, we primarily imagine the Sun, the planets and moons. But the solar system is much larger than that; extending well beyond the orbits of Neptune and Pluto into a region known as the Oort Cloud, home to comets and other solar system objects.

Comets are amazing objects, and can be quite beautiful when viewed through a telescope. And in the history of our planet some comets have proven to be dangerous. But where do comets come from?