COMETS: Questions

What is the comet nucleus mostly composed of, and why is that important to our solar system?

What and how does the solar wind allow us to see in a comet? In other words, what are the component(s) of a comet that would be missing if there were no solar wind?

What is an "anti-tail"?

What are the three types of orbits on which comets propagate?

In general terms, what determines the shape and size of comets orbits?

What are the tensile strength and escape velocity of comets, and what is the significance of these two physical properties?

Are comet paths significantly affected by the gravitational forces of planets? If so, explain to what extent?

What are "rocket effects"? Do they have more of an effect on the paths of comets than the gravitational forces of planets?

What are cometary light curves and what do we learn from them?

What is the "power-law" formula? Calculate Comet Hyakutake's brightness (magnitude) given the following parameters: H0 = (-4), the geocentric distance (() is 139.5 million miles, the heliocentric distance (r) is 176.7 million miles, and the "power-law exponent" (n) is 4. How does this magnitude compare with Jupiter's?

COMETS: Lecture