One of the key reasons that professional astronomers (as opposed to the public) are interested in comets is that they
A) are beautiful to look at
B) are always omens of disaster
C) are icy pieces left over from the time that our solar system formed that can give us clues about that early time
D) are pieces splintered off one of the giant planets, so they can provide us with samples of their composition
E) are all visitors from other star systems, which can tell us about what conditions are like in distant reaches of the Milky Way Galaxy

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Comets are thought to be remnants from the formation of the solar system, so studying them can offer insights into the conditions and materials present during that time. This is a key interest for professional astronomers who seek to better understand the origins of our solar system and how it came to be. While comets can be beautiful and have historically been associated with disaster, these are not the primary reasons that astronomers study them.

One of the Key Reasons That Professional Astronomers (As Opposed