What is the shape of the path of a comet ?


Ellipse and Parabola

The path of a comet around the sun is controlled by the force of gravitational attraction of the sun. This force makes the comet travel in an oval called ellipse or an open curve called parabola, around the sun. When a comet travels in an ellipse it returns near the sun and the earth periodically. When its path is a parabola, it comes in once and never returns.
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