2009 Jupiter impact event: Difference between revisions
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==Discovery== |
==Discovery== |
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[[File:Anthony-wesley-20090719-155537UTC.jpg|thumb|left|Image taken by Anthony Wesley in the early hours of 20th July (AEST). The dark spot Wesley noticed and correctly identified |
[[File:Anthony-wesley-20090719-155537UTC.jpg|thumb|left|Image taken by Anthony Wesley in the early hours of 20th July (AEST). The dark spot Wesley noticed and correctly identified as an impact scar is at the "top" of the image of the planet.]] |
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[[amateur astronomy|Amateur astronomer]] Anthony Wesley discovered the impact at approximately 13:30 (UTC) on 19 July 2009 (almost exactly 15 years after the Jupiter impact of [[comet Shoemaker-Levy 9]], or SL9). He was at his home [[observatory]] just outside [[Murrumbateman, New South Wales|Murrumbateman]], [[New South Wales]], using stacked images on a {{convert|14.5|in|cm|adj=on|1}} diameter [[reflecting telescope]] equipped with a [[webcam]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Mackey, Robert|title=Amateur Finds New Earth-Sized Blot on Jupiter|url=http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/amateur-astronomer-finds-new-earth-size-impact-mark-on-jupiter/|date=July 21, 2009|publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> Wesley stated that |
[[amateur astronomy|Amateur astronomer]] Anthony Wesley discovered the impact at approximately 13:30 (UTC) on 19 July 2009 (almost exactly 15 years after the Jupiter impact of [[comet Shoemaker-Levy 9]], or SL9). He was at his home [[observatory]] just outside [[Murrumbateman, New South Wales|Murrumbateman]], [[New South Wales]], using stacked images on a {{convert|14.5|in|cm|adj=on|1}} diameter [[reflecting telescope]] equipped with a [[webcam]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Mackey, Robert|title=Amateur Finds New Earth-Sized Blot on Jupiter|url=http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/amateur-astronomer-finds-new-earth-size-impact-mark-on-jupiter/|date=July 21, 2009|publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> Wesley stated that |
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Revision as of 07:50, 23 July 2009
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (July 2009) |
In July 2009, an impact event occurred on Jupiter, causing a black spot in the planet's atmosphere, similar in size to the planet's Little Red Spot and about the size of the Pacific Ocean.[1] This impact scar is expected to last only a week or two as it becomes diluted by Jupiter's atmosphere.
Discovery
Amateur astronomer Anthony Wesley discovered the impact at approximately 13:30 (UTC) on 19 July 2009 (almost exactly 15 years after the Jupiter impact of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, or SL9). He was at his home observatory just outside Murrumbateman, New South Wales, using stacked images on a 14.5-inch (36.8 cm) diameter reflecting telescope equipped with a webcam.[2] Wesley stated that
When first seen close to the limb (and in poor conditions) it was only a vaguely dark spot, I [thought] likely to be just a normal dark polar storm. However as it rotated further into view, and the conditions improved I suddenly realised that it wasn't just dark, it was black in all channels, meaning it was truly a black spot.[3]
Wesley sent an e-mail to others including the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.[4]
Findings
Paul Kalas and collaborators scheduled to use the Keck II telescope at Mauna Kea, Hawaii to observe Fomalhaut b confirmed the sighting.[5] Infrared observation by Keck and the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF)[1] at Mauna Kea showed a bright spot where the impact took place, indicating the impact warmed a 190 million square km area of the lower atmosphere at 305 W, 57 S near Jupiter's south pole.[1] Initially, scientists did not calculate the size of the impacting object since the size of the impacter is a function of the speed, composition, and entry angle.[6] Given the size of the SL9 impacters,[7] it is likely that this object was less than one kilometer in diameter.
The spot's prominence indicates that it is comprised of high-altitude aerosols similar to those seen during the SL9 impact.[5] Using near-infrared wavelengths and the IRTF, Glenn Orton and his team detected bright upwelling particles in the planet's upper atmosphere and using mid-infrared wavelengths, found possible extra emission of ammonia gas.[8]
Astronomers will further observe the impact area with a variety of instruments, including the Keck[5] and the Hubble Space Telescope's recently-installed Wide Field Camera 3.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Jupiter pummeled, leaving bruise the size of the Pacific Ocean. University of California, Berkeley press release, July 21 2009.
- ^ Mackey, Robert (July 21, 2009). "Amateur Finds New Earth-Sized Blot on Jupiter". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
- ^ Wesley, Anthony. "Impact mark on Jupiter, 19th July 2009". (jupiter.samba.org). Retrieved 2009-07-21.
- ^ O'Loughlin, Toni and agencies. "Amateur astronomer spots Earth-size scar on Jupiter". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
- ^ a b c Jupiter adds a feature. Keck Observatory observations, July 21 2009
- ^ Grossman, Lisa (2009-07-21). "Jupiter sports new 'bruise' from impact". New Scientist. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
- ^ D. A. Crawford. "Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 Fragment Size" (PDF). Lunar and Planetary Institute. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
- ^ Martinez, Carolina (July 20, 2009). "New NASA Images Indicate Object Hits Jupiter". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
External links
