Comets and Asteroids are both celestial bodies that orbit the Sun, but they have distinct characteristics and purposes. Comets Comets are small, icy bodies with a nucleus that can range from a few kilometers to dozens of kilometers in diameter. They have a tail, which is actually composed of gases and dust that are blown off the comet by solar radiation as it approaches the Sun. Comets are divided into two groups based on their orbital periods: short-period comets (less than 200 years) and long-period comets (more than 200 years). Purposes and Characteristics 1. Comets are considered to be primitive objects, leftovers from the formation of the Solar System. They provide scientists with valuable information about the composition and history of the early Solar System. 2. Comets have been observed to impact planets, such as Earth, and may have played a role in delivering water and other organic compounds to the early Earth, potentially aiding in the development of life. 3. Comets have
Differentiating Concepts