Comets are fascinating celestial objects that originate from the outer regions of our solar system. They are primarily formed in two main areas: the Kuiper Belt, which lies beyond the orbit of Neptune, and the Oort Cloud, a distant spherical shell surrounding our solar system. These icy bodies are made up of dust, rock, and frozen gases, and they can travel vast distances through space.
When a comet approaches the Sun, the heat causes its ices to vaporize, creating a glowing coma and often a spectacular tail that points away from the Sun. This process reveals the comet's composition and provides valuable insights into the early solar system, helping scientists understand the origins of water and organic materials on Earth.