I was not brushing off your posts or your belief in the ancient works on comets. I was trying to point out the works of many hard working scientists in the trenches and I do mean cold trenches here in Alaska studying the cold (pun intended) facts about the very Ice Crystals everybody agrees are present in the comet and of course in the tail of a comet. I don't have all the answers, far from it, but when you post a re-hash of hundred plus year old theories which have not been able to be reproduced in space or on earth I want to know why you continue to believe it and refuse to answer the questions or at least to be somewhat skeptical yourself.

Why does the dust tail, or should I say trail trail behind the path of the comet? It can't be solar wind (which I still am very skeptical about) because the dust tail would follow a path very similar to the Ion tail. There is nothing to accelerate the comet which would not also accelerate the dust. There is nothing to decelerate the dust which would not decelerate the comet. Why does the dust trail behind?

Why does the coma have it's distinctive shape? What keeps it so concentrated for so long? There is certainly not enough gravity to hold it in place under the attack of the ferocious hurricane like onslaught of the viscious solar winds. (ok I am being an ass too!)

Why dont solar winds affect dust and ice vapors outside the space shuttle like they do the ones outside the coma of a comet?

None of these questions are even glanced upon by the posts you put up.

Now if you are half as smart and dedicated as you claim to be, you might care to enlighten me. Otherwise let my skepticisim stand, and allow me to put forth postulations which might (although I admit it is unlikely) lead to further understanding for all.

Don't expect me to accept theories as fact without being able to prove and understand them.

Dan