Comets:

* Fuzzy and/or with a tail: Comets appear as fuzzy, nebulous objects, often with a distinct tail that points away from the sun. The tail is made of dust and gas that is vaporized by the sun's heat.

* Move across the sky: Comets move noticeably over time. Their movement can be tracked across the sky over the course of days or weeks.

* Brightness varies: Comets can brighten and dim as they get closer to and farther from the sun.

Stars:

* Steady and unchanging: Stars twinkle and are always in the same relative position to each other.

* Fixed position: Stars appear to be fixed in their position relative to each other, even over long periods.

* Don't have tails: Stars do not have tails or fuzzy appearances.

Here's a helpful analogy: Imagine a star as a tiny, bright light bulb and a comet as a fuzzy cotton ball with a glowing trail.

How to see them:

* Dark skies: You'll need dark skies with minimal light pollution to see comets well.

* Binoculars or telescope: Binoculars or a telescope can help enhance the view of a comet's tail and other details.

Bonus Tip: If you're unsure, look up the current sky events. Websites and apps like Stellarium or Star Walk will tell you what objects are visible in your sky.