What structure forms around the solid core of an active comet due to outgassing, causing its fuzzy appearance?
Answer
The coma.
The coma is the vast, tenuous atmosphere that envelops the solid nucleus of a comet once it nears the Sun and its ices begin to sublimate. This process of outgassing releases significant amounts of gas and dust. It is this expansive envelope of diffused material, the coma, that reflects sunlight and causes the entire head of the comet to exhibit the distinct fuzzy or hazy outline that allows observers to differentiate it visually from sharp, star-like objects like asteroids.
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