How fast do comets move in space?


That depends on which point in a comet's orbit you are talking about. The Earth's orbital velocity is about 30 kilometers/sec, so that comets that get as close to the Sun as the Earth's orbit can be traveling at least this fast. If a body 'falls' from beyond the orbit of Pluto and passes the Earth without being captured by the Sun, it is probably traveling closer to 50 kilometers/sec. In the most distant parts of its orbit it could be traveling as slowly as a few kilometers/sec.


This answer was updated in 2011. See my books: The Astronomy Cafe (1998) and Back to the Astronomy Cafe (2003) for more FAQs in printed form. Author: Dr. Sten Odenwald, Copyright 2011

Return to Ask the Astronomer