How Large Does the Coma, or Gas Cloud Surrounding a Comet

question 137

Multiple Choice

How large does the coma, or gas cloud surrounding a comet nucleus, become when it reaches its closest point to the Sun?

• A) only 10 km, but it glows brightly in sunlight
• B) about 10⁶ km, as big as the Sun
• C) about 10⁸ km, close to the size of Mercury's orbit
• D) about 10⁷ km, close to 1/10 of Mercury's orbit

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