When a comet is far from the Sun, it moves slowly. As it approaches the Sun, its speed increases. Comets can reach speeds of up to 125,000 miles per hour (200,000 kilometers per hour) when they are near the Sun.
The speed of a comet is affected by several factors, including:
- Its distance from the Sun
- Its orbital period
- The strength of the solar wind
The solar wind is a stream of charged particles from the Sun that can push comets away from the Sun. The stronger the solar wind, the slower a comet will move.
