Question

A comet is close to the sun. How fast would you claim it might travel?

Answer 1

Comets can reach very high speeds as they approach the Sun due to solar gravitational acceleration, with speeds comparable to the Parker Solar Probe's 68.6 km/s observed in special circumstances.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a comet is close to the Sun, its speed increases dramatically due to the Sun's gravitational pull. The comet's speed can vary greatly depending on its specific orbit and distance from the Sun.

A well-known example is the Parker Solar Probe, a spacecraft that reached speeds of about 68.6 km/s due to its proximity to the Sun.

However, comets have been known to travel at various speeds depending on their path and level of solar influence. Considering this, and the fact that comets can experience significant acceleration during their perihelion passage (the closest approach to the Sun), it's quite possible for a comet to reach similar high velocities as they orbit close to the Sun.

Answer 2

When the comet is far from the sun, it travels at about 2,000 miles per hour. As it gets closer to the sun, its speed increases. It may travel at over 100,000 miles per hour! As a comet approaches the sun, its icy body begins to melt, releasing gas and dust.

Step-by-step explanation: