Why Don't Comets Ever Have a Green Tail?

Comets have fascinated humans for centuries due to their vibrant colors. Scientists have long wondered why comet heads are green but not their tails. Recent research reveals that the green color is due to dicarbon, a molecule formed and destroyed by UV light. This instability prevents the green color from reaching the tail. Experiments simulating space conditions confirmed this theory, solving a century-old mystery. Understanding these processes highlights the importance of scientific validation and encourages future research.

What has puzzled astronomers for nearly a century regarding comets?

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Explain the difference between the dust tail and the ion tail of a comet.

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How does the sun's ultraviolet light affect the particles in a comet's coma?

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What is the significance of dicarbon in relation to a comet's green color?

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What conditions are necessary for dicarbon to be produced in space?

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Describe the experiment conducted in 2021 to simulate the space environment around a comet.

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What was the outcome of the research regarding the lifetime of a dicarbon atom in a comet's coma?

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