Comae

/ˈkoʊ.mi/ noun

Definition

Plural of coma; a state of deep unconsciousness, or in astronomy, the cloudy outer region of a comet surrounding the nucleus.

Etymology

From Latin 'coma' (deep sleep or hair), derived from Greek 'kome' (hair). The plural form applies equally to medical unconsciousness or astronomical comet halos.

Kelly Says

When a comet approaches the sun, the 'comae' can grow to be bigger than the entire sun itself—billions of kilometers across—even though it's mostly just dust and gas!

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