Comets

/ˈkɑːmɪts/ noun

Definition

Icy objects from space that orbit the sun and develop long, glowing tails when they pass near Earth and the sun's heat makes them shine.

Etymology

From Greek 'kometes aster' meaning hairy star, from 'kome' meaning hair. Ancient people named them for the tail that resembles hair streaming behind.

Kelly Says

Halley's Comet returns every 76 years like clockwork—so people have the amazing ability to see it appear at the exact same point in the sky that their great-great-grandparents did!

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