Comet dust

Definition

Comet dust consists of microscopic particles ejected from the nucleus of a comet. These particles are primarily composed of silicates, carbonaceous materials, and organic compounds.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Comet dust is often released when comets approach the Sun and their ices sublimate.
2. The particles in comet dust can provide valuable information about the early solar system.
3. Comet tails are formed largely by the interaction between comet dust and solar radiation or wind.
4. The Rosetta mission analyzed comet dust from Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko to study its composition.
5. Interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) collected on Earth often include cometary material.

Review Questions

• What causes the release of comet dust?
• Why is studying comet dust important for understanding the early solar system?
• How do interplanetary dust particles relate to comets?

Related terms

Nucleus: The solid, central part of a comet composed mostly of ice and rock.

Sublimation: The process by which a solid turns directly into gas without becoming liquid first, crucial for forming comet tails.

Rosetta Mission: A European Space Agency mission that studied Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, providing detailed data on its composition including its dust.