What is the difference between a meteor shower and a comet?

A meteor shower and a comet are two different celestial phenomena, though they are related. A meteor shower occurs when the Earth passes through a trail of debris left behind by a comet or an asteroid. When the debris enters the Earth's atmosphere, it burns up, creating a streak of light in the sky that we call a meteor or a shooting star.

On the other hand, a comet is a small icy object that orbits the Sun. Comets are made up of frozen water, gases, and dust particles. When a comet comes close to the Sun, its surface warms up and some of the ice melts, releasing gases and dust into space. This creates a glowing cloud of gas and dust around the comet called a coma, and often a tail pointing away from the Sun.

So, while meteor showers are caused by debris from comets or asteroids, comets are a different kind of celestial body that can create a coma and tail as they orbit the Sun.