Which of a comet's two tails consists of ionized gas and points directly away from the Sun?
Show answer
Ion tail
Comets actually have two tails: a dust tail and an ion (or gas) tail. Solar wind and radiation pressure always push the ion tail directly away from the Sun, regardless of the comet's direction of travel.
Also asked as:
- What is the name for the comet tail that is pushed directly away from the Sun by the solar wind?