Science, Vol.267, No.5202, 1288-1296, 1995
HST Imaging of Atmospheric Phenomena Created by the Impact of Comet Shoemaker-Levy-9
Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images reveal major atmospheric changes created by the collision of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with Jupiter. Plumes rose to 3000 kilometers with ejection velocities on the order of 10 kilometers second(-1); some plumes were visible in the shadow of Jupiter before rising into sunlight. During some impacts, the incoming bolide may have been detected. Impact times were on average about 8 minutes later than predicted. Atmospheric waves were seen with a wave front speed of 454 +/- 20 meters second(-1). The HST images reveal impact site evolution and record the overall change in Jupiter’s appearance as a result of the bombardment.
Keywords:GREAT RED SPOT;JUPITERS