First Observations of the 2009 Collision in Jupiter's Atmosphere

Details First Observations of the 2009 Collision in Jupiter's Atmosphere First Observations of the 2009 Collision in Jupiter's Atmosphere

Sep 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dps....41.1001o&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #41, #10.01

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

We report initial observations of the debris from the first documented impact of a body with Jupiter since the collisions of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 fragments 15 years ago. Visible observations by AW at 14:01 UT on 2009 July 19 recorded an unusual blackened region with fainter ejecta near the edge of Jupiter's South Polar Region. 0.89-micron CH4 band imaging (A. Cidadao, D. Peach) on the subsequent rotation showed this site to be bright. Two rotations later at NASA's IRTF, a series of near-IR (1.58-4.78 micron) images with SpeX and NSFCam2 were recorded which verified the unmistakable signature of high-altitude particulate debris in even stronger CH4 and H2 absorption. Spectra were also recorded in the 0.8-2.5 micron region. Images of thermal emission between 7 and 25 microns with MIRSI instrument recorded enhanced emission associated with ammonia gas and an increase of temperatures in the upper troposphere at the site of the impact and debris field. No enhancement of temperatures was detected near the 10-mbar level of the stratosphere. During the same rotation, Keck-II NIRC2 images at 2.124 microns detected an impact site, centered at 305±1.5°W longitude and 57±1.5°S planetographic latitude, with two prominent features and an ejecta field annulus which extends toward the west by 10° in longitude. The distinct detail of the initial images and references to existing images suggest that the impact may have occurred within a 10-hour period before its initial detection in the visible. Comparisons with published analyses of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 impacts suggest an impactor on the order of hundreds of meters in size, something unlikely to have been detected in advance. There is no evidence at any wavelength for additional impacts. As of this writing, a vigorous campaign to characterize the impact site is being mounted at several observatories, and more details will inevitably follow.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

First Observations of the 2009 Collision in Jupiter's Atmosphere does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with First Observations of the 2009 Collision in Jupiter's Atmosphere, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and First Observations of the 2009 Collision in Jupiter's Atmosphere will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1331902