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Comet's Spin Reverses in Stunning Cosmic Flip
12 Feb
Summary
- Comet 41P's rotation drastically slowed and reversed direction.
- Jets from the sunlit surface likely caused the extreme spin change.
- This phenomenon may explain why smaller comets disappear so quickly.
In 2017, Comet 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresák experienced an astonishing rotational transformation. As the comet approached the sun, its spin period stretched from 20 hours to 46 hours over a period of weeks. Observations later revealed its rotation had not only stopped but reversed direction.
This unprecedented event, observed by astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope and NASA's Swift telescope, is attributed to jets of material expelling from the comet's sun-warmed surface. These jets, akin to rocket engines, generated enough force to alter the comet's spin dramatically.
The discovery is significant as it offers a potential explanation for the scarcity of smaller comets in the solar system. Researchers hypothesize that such extreme rotational changes could cause comets to spin themselves apart, leading to their rapid destruction.
