Would you expect comets to follow the ecliptic? Explain.

Thread starter kay89
Start date Feb 18, 2008
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Comets Ecliptic Explain

In summary, the ecliptic is the apparent path of the sun in the sky as seen from Earth, caused by the tilt of Earth's axis and its orbit around the sun. Comets are small, icy bodies that orbit the sun and often have a distinct tail when close to the sun. We would expect comets to follow the ecliptic due to their position in our solar system and the same gravitational forces that affect planets and other objects. However, there are exceptions to this, as some comets have highly elliptical orbits and may be influenced by other objects, causing them to deviate from the ecliptic. Scientists use various tools and techniques to study the paths of comets, including telescopes, spacecraft, and computer

Feb 18, 2008

kay89

Would you expect comets to follow the ecliptic? Explain.

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Mar 2, 2008

cadnr

Not if they come from the Oort cloud which is spherical

Mar 2, 2008

D H

Staff Emeritus

Science Advisor

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Kay, we don't do your homework for you. Tell us what you think and why you think so. We will then help steer you to the correct answer.

1. What is the ecliptic?

The ecliptic is the apparent path that the sun follows in the sky as seen from Earth. It is caused by the tilt of Earth's axis and its orbit around the sun.

2. What are comets?

Comets are small, icy bodies that orbit the sun. They are made up of dust, ice, and gas and often have a distinct tail when they are close to the sun.

3. Why would we expect comets to follow the ecliptic?

We would expect comets to follow the ecliptic because they are part of our solar system and are affected by the same gravitational forces as the planets and other objects. The ecliptic is the plane of our solar system, so it makes sense for comets to follow this path as well.

4. Are there any exceptions to comets following the ecliptic?

While most comets do follow the ecliptic, there are some exceptions. Some comets have highly elliptical orbits that may take them far above or below the ecliptic. Additionally, some comets may have their orbits altered by gravitational interactions with other objects, causing them to deviate from the ecliptic.

5. How do scientists study the paths of comets?

Scientists use a variety of tools and techniques to study the paths of comets, including telescopes, spacecraft, and computer simulations. They also analyze the composition and behavior of comets to better understand their orbits and how they may be influenced by other objects in our solar system.