Cosmic capers

If you have a penchant for space, chances are you've heard of the Halley's comet. While it is probably the most famous one, did you know that there are likely billions of comets orbiting the Sun? Comets are snowballs made of frozen gases, rock, and dust. They orbit the Sun and are known for their tails that stretch millions of miles.

Whenever a comet is discovered, it is given a formal name that makes identifying and tracking it easier. For instance, "C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy)", "D/1993 F2", and so on. These names may look complicated at first glance, but once you understand what they stand for, they make a lot of sense.

Watch this video to find out how comets get their formal names.