The Green Comets

What are the reasons that some comets appear green?

Answer: Some comets appear green due to a reactive molecule called dicarbon, which emits greenlight as it decays under the sunlight.

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About the Comets:

• Comets are remnants from the solar system’s formation, composed mostly of water ice and embedded dust particles.
• When near the sun, they vaporize, creating massive atmospheres and tails of gas and dust. Their visual impact comes from the fluorescence of gases and sunlight reflecting off dust particles.
• Like all celestial bodies, comets follow orbits and can be drawn close to the sun by its gravity.

About the Green Comets:

• This comet’s orbit suggests it had originated from the distant Oort cloud, an outer space region filled with countless comets and asteroids.
• The greenish aura associated with comets is attributed to a reactive molecule called dicarbon, which emits green light as it decays under sunlight.

Why in News?

Appearing near Earth after nearly 50,000 years, “green comet” was recently seen.