Since then, astronomers have observed multiple objects impacting Jupiter, and it is expected that such impacts happen all the time though unobserved. Upon reviewing the footage, he ruled out the possibility that the event happened closer to Earth with Jupiter merely being the backdrop. Still image of the impact. Credit: H. After a thorough examination, Paleske determined that the impact happened at Jovian latitude The impact was independently observed by two teams of French amateur astronomers with the SLA.
According to a statement issued by the SLA , the two teams consisted of:. This is the first time that so many people currently 9 have captured this type of event. All across the world, instruments that were aimed at Jupiter were consulted to see if they also recorded the light flash on the Jovian gas giant. Light on at Jupiter!
It gave scientists an opportunity to gain new insights into Jupiter, Shoemaker-Levy 9, and cosmic collisions in general. Researchers were able to deduce the composition and structure of the comet. The collision also left dust floating on the top of Jupiter's clouds. By watching the dust spread across the planet, scientists were able to track high-altitude winds on Jupiter for the first time. And by comparing changes in the magnetosphere with changes in the atmosphere following the impact, scientists were able to study the relationship between them.
Scientists have calculated that the comet was originally about 0. If a similar-sized object were to hit Earth, it would be devastating. The impact might send dust and debris into the sky, creating a haze that would cool the atmosphere and absorb sunlight, enveloping the entire planet in darkness. If the haze lasted long enough, plant life would die — along with the people and animals that depend on it to survive.
These kinds of collisions were more frequent in the early solar system. In fact, comet impacts were probably the main way that elements other than hydrogen and helium got to Jupiter.
Today, impacts of this size probably occur only every few centuries. The comet was named for its discoverers. JPL's lucky peanuts are an unofficial tradition at big mission events. It's suspected that about 5, years ago a comet swept within 23 million miles of the Sun, closer than the innermost planet Mercury. Several months after its discovery, pieces of the comet smashed into the planet Jupiter. The collision produced scars that were visible from Earth.
The comet, which struck Jupiter in , brought the dangers of asteroid and comet collisions with Earth to the public fore. In the late s, Hollywood unleashed two blockbuster films — "Armageddon" and "Deep Impact" — on the theme of large objects threatening Earth. In , a small asteroid broke up over the remote city of Chelyabinsk, Russia , injuring hundreds and causing property damage. This event also spurred research and interest into NEOs. NEO searches continue to this day.
NASA implemented a Planetary Defense Coordination Office in to better coordinate work by NASA officials, their international counterparts and the various telescopes that monitor the sky for potentially dangerous asteroids and comets.
To date, there is no definitive evidence of an object that will hit Earth and cause catastrophe — but scientists keep looking, just in case. The group had collaborated several times before and discovered several other comets before this one, which is why this comet was called Shoemaker-Levy 9. A March circular from the International Astronomical Union Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams contained a casual reference to the comet's position: "The comet is located some 4 degrees from Jupiter, and the motion suggests that it may be near Jupiter's distance.
As the months progressed, it was clear that the comet was actually orbiting Jupiter and not the sun. Astronomer Steve Fentress suggested the comet broke up on July 7, , when it whipped by Jupiter roughly 74, miles , km above its atmosphere. Accounts vary, with some sources saying the comet passed as close as 15, miles, or 25, km. But the comet was probably orbiting Jupiter for decades before that, perhaps as early as when it got captured by the massive planet's gravity.
Further orbital calculations showed the comet would actually crash into Jupiter in July The spacecraft Galileo, scheduled to orbit Jupiter, was still en route to the planet at the time and would not be able to get a close-up view. Observatories around the world, however, prepared to turn their attention to the planet, expecting a spectacular show. The orbiting Hubble Space Telescope also was tapped to observe the encounter.
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