Difference between revisions of "Coma (Astronomy)"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m (Added source information for text) |
(merge to comet) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| + | {{merge|comet}} | ||
A '''Coma''' is a spherical cloud of material surrounding the head of a [[comet]]. This material is mostly gas that the Sun has caused to boil off the comet's icy nucleus. This gas shines both by reflected sunlight and light emitted by excited molecules. A cometary coma can extend up to a million miles from the nucleus. | A '''Coma''' is a spherical cloud of material surrounding the head of a [[comet]]. This material is mostly gas that the Sun has caused to boil off the comet's icy nucleus. This gas shines both by reflected sunlight and light emitted by excited molecules. A cometary coma can extend up to a million miles from the nucleus. | ||
Latest revision as of 23:26, August 11, 2007
It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with [[::comet|comet]]. (Discuss)
A Coma is a spherical cloud of material surrounding the head of a comet. This material is mostly gas that the Sun has caused to boil off the comet's icy nucleus. This gas shines both by reflected sunlight and light emitted by excited molecules. A cometary coma can extend up to a million miles from the nucleus.