HST Imaging of Atmospheric Phenomena Created by the Impact of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9
Simon, A. A.; Beebe, R. F.; West, R. A.; Orton, G. S.; Clarke, J. T.; Karkoschka, E.; Hammel, H. B.; Toigo, A.; Ingersoll, A. P.; Dowling, T. E.; Harrington, J.; Huber, L. F.; Mills, J. R.; Chodas, P.; de Jong, E.; Santori, C. M.; Yeomans, D.
Abstract
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.