Comet, The

Synopsis

Briefly describes the origins of the solar system and introduces comets by describing their place among the planets and asteroids orbiting the sun. Nuclei of proto-comets, consisting of stony material and frozen gases, are generally accepted to form a cloud at the very edge of the solar system. Pertubation of one of these by a passing star may cause it to fall in towards the sun. After thousands of years the coma and tail become visible as a result of the action of sunlight on the ‘dirty snowball’.

Language

English

Country

Canada

Medium

Video; Videocassette. VHS. col. 12 min.

Year of production

1985

Availability

Sale

Uses

6th-form astronomy courses.*

Subjects

Astronomy

Keywords

comets; solar system

Production Company

Name

National Film Board of Canada

Email

customerservice@nfb.ca

Web

http://www.nfb.ca External site opens in new window

Phone

(514) 283 9000

Fax

(514) 283-7564

Address

Sales and Customer Service (D-10)
PO Box 6100
Station Centre-Ville
Montreal
QC H3C 3HS
Canada

Distributor

Name

Viewtech Educational Media

Notes

NB. Viewtech ceased trading in 2014 and the company’s products are no longer in distribution