What is the definitive directional behavior of a comet's Ion (Type I) Tail when near the Sun?
Answer
It always points directly away from the Sun.
The Ion Tail, also known as the Type I Tail, is composed of gases that become energized by the constant flow of solar wind emanating from the Sun. Because the solar wind exerts a powerful, unidirectional force on these ionized gases, the resulting tail is forced to point precisely away from the Sun. This directional consistency holds true regardless of the comet's actual direction of travel along its orbit; whether the comet is moving toward perihelion or receding away from the Sun, the Ion Tail reliably streams directly opposite the solar source.
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