Question

When the comet passes close to the sun, it has a visible tail. Typically, the comet is only visible for a matter of days while it may be invisible for years. Why does the comet spend so little time close to the sun?

Answer 1

The comet is locked in the Sun's gravity. as it falls deeper in the gravity we'll, its velocity increases. As is travels closer to the Sun, it is trying to break away, but cannot. This transforms into a sideways movement that produces a tight turn. It races further out of the gravity well, and sheds velocity.