What happens to a comet when it gets close to the Sun?

When a comet gets close to the Sun, it heats up. The ice on its surface begins to melt, turning into gas and releasing dust. This process forms a bright glowing cloud called a coma around the nucleus, and the solar wind pushes this material into a long, shining tail. The closer the comet gets to the Sun, the brighter it appears. However, repeated passes near the Sun cause comets to lose ice and dust, eventually leaving behind only a rocky core. Some comets even break apart completely due to the intense heat and gravity.