What material primarily constitutes the nucleus of a comet, according to early descriptions?
Answer
Ice, dust, and rocky material
A comet's solid structure, known as the nucleus, is fundamentally composed of a mixture of materials left over from the solar system's initial formation. This composition primarily involves water ice, mixed with significant amounts of dust particles, which are remnants of refractory materials, and various rocky components. This mixture is what leads to the common descriptive term applied to these celestial bodies, highlighting their composition rather than uniform solidity.
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