Cometary orbits

Cometary orbits are the paths that comets follow around the Sun, usually elliptical (oval-shaped). These orbits can vary greatly in size; some take only a few years, while others, called long-period comets, may take thousands or even millions of years to complete an orbit. Comets are made of ice, dust, and rock, and their orbits are influenced by the Sun’s gravity. When a comet gets close to the Sun, its surface heats up, causing gas and dust to vaporize and form a glowing coma and tail that always points away from the Sun, creating the stunning appearance we see from Earth.