What hit Jupiter in 1994?

What hit Jupiter in 1994?

Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9
This true colour image of Jupiter, taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope in 1994, reveals the impact sites of fragments ‘D’ and ‘G’ from Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9. This was the first-ever observed collision between two objects in our Solar System.

How big was the meteor that hit Jupiter?

Based on the images and video provided observers, the object’s diameter is estimated at 20 meters (ft). Similar to what happened with SL-9, this object is believed to be the remnant of a larger comet or asteroid that was captured by Jupiter’s gravity that broke up shortly before the impact took place.

How big was the object that hit Jupiter?

The object was around dozens of meters across (possibly some 120 to 160 feet wide, maybe more, maybe less). Traveling at a high speed, it journeyed deeper and deeper into Jupiter’s heavy atmosphere, where it experienced strong friction and heated up as it fell through the planet’s clouds.

What happened on July 1994 when the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 collided with Jupiter?

Shoemaker-Levy 9 left dark, ringed scars that were eventually erased by Jupiter’s winds. While the impact was dramatic, it was more than a show. It gave scientists an opportunity to gain new insights into Jupiter, Shoemaker-Levy 9, and cosmic collisions in general.

What is the Cassini Solstice Mission?

The Cassini mission entered its second extended mission, called the Cassini Solstice Mission, in September 2010. This extension enables scientists to study seasonal and other long-term weather changes on the planet and its moons.

What slammed into Jupiter today?

Jupiter, the largest gas giant in the solar system, was just slammed by an asteroid, according to an initial tweet from ESA Operations.

What did comet Shoemaker-Levy hit?

Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 experienced one of the most spectacular ends that humans ever witnessed. Several months after its discovery, pieces of the comet smashed into the planet Jupiter.