[RobRoy]

Are the wings for when it is traveling through a planets atmosphere, for better control?

Also, I thought the tail would always extend directly out from the solar side of the comet. That's sure not what's happening in this photo. It must be a composite.

[DCBryan1]

Two words:

Lucifer's Hammer
By Purnell/Niven

[RandyRep]

I think that the tail of the comet appears to be non-radial because we have a two dimensional view of a three dimensional problem. The Earth is on the ecliptic plane, and the comet is above the plane. I don't know (but perhaps others do) what the direction of the comet is - it could be coming at us, going away from us, heading downward, heading upward, heading some other direction, etc.

Does anyone know if this can be seen - after sunset, or before sunrise?