Many people think of the solar system as the Sun and planets but, every now and then we get some interesting visitors from the remote and icy outer realms of the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud - the comets. Some make a spectacular appearance like we witnessed from Hale-Bopp in 1997 or  Hyakutake in 1996. But, more often they pass by without much notice from the general public. Sometimes, though, we get a surprise.

• Long period comets like Hale-Bopp or Hyakutake have orbits that take thousands of years to complete. Others like C/2006 P1 McNaught will never be seen again!
• Short period comets have orbital periods that bring them our way more frequently. Halley's comet is the most famous of the short period comets visiting every 76 years.

Generally speaking, comets are loose aggregates of ices and rubble left over from the early period of the solar system's formation. When they are far away from the Sun, they are inert. Traveling along their orbit toward the Sun, comets begin to shed material as solar winds and heating begin to interact with the nucleus forming a coma and, in many cases, tails directed away from the Sun.

Click on the thumbnails below to learn more about these celestial travelers.

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Last modified: January 1st, 2009