TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

TAIL COMET [1 record]

Record 1 2005-01-25

English

Subject field(s)
  • Planets
  • Astronomy
CONT

Extending from the head is the "tail" of the comet, although unlike most tails in nature it is sometimes in front of the comet. The tail (and not all comets have tails) points away from the sun, so as the comet recedes from the sun the tail will lead the way.

OBS

The comet's tail is its most distinctive feature.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Planètes
  • Astronomie
DEF

Formation allongée composée de gaz (queue de couleur bleue) et de poussières (queue de couleur jaune) issue de la désintégration et de la sublimation du noyau d'une comète sous l'effet du vent solaire.

CONT

[...] sous l'effet du vent solaire, une queue de plusieurs millions de kilomètres, composée de gaz et de poussière, se forme à partir du noyau. C'est la raison pour laquelle la queue d'une comète est toujours orientée en sens inverse du Soleil.

Spanish

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