Comet (Noun)
Meaning
(astronomy) a relatively small extraterrestrial body consisting of a frozen mass that travels around the sun in a highly elliptical orbit.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made).
Examples
- Halley's Comet is one of the most famous comets in recorded history, appearing in the sky every 76 years.
- Comets are believed to originate from the outer reaches of the solar system and are composed of dust and frozen gases.
- The bright tail of the comet was visible for weeks as it passed close to the Earth's orbit.
- Scientists study comets to learn more about the early formation of the solar system and the potential for finding water and organic compounds.
- The comet's highly elliptical orbit brought it within close proximity to the sun, causing it to brighten dramatically.