Space Mystery: The First Comet Ever Seen Spinning Backwards

Astronomers analyzing data from the Hubble Space Telescope made a surprising discovery: a comet that literally reversed its spin. Known as Comet 41P/Tuttle–Giacobini–Kresák, this small, fragile object reacts dramatically as it nears the Sun. Jets of gas erupt from its surface like uneven thrusters, slowing its rotation until it flips direction entirely.This rare phenomenon reveals how unstable and rapidly evolving comets can be—and suggests 41P may eventually break apart. It also highlights how revisiting old NASA data can still unlock entirely new discoveries about our solar system.Thank you for listening to Bedtime Astronomy — your guide to the cosmos. New episodes on space exploration, NASA missions & the latest astronomy breakthroughs.This episode includes AI-generated content.