|
A comet that crashed into the planet Jupiter in July 1994. When it was discovered photographically on 25 March 1993 by Carolyn and Eugene Shoemaker and David Levy, it was in an elongated 2-year orbit around Jupiter and consisted of a string of about 20 separate fragments. Calculations suggested it had been orbiting Jupiter for several decades, but broke up when subject to tidal forces during a close approach to Jupiter in July 1992. This encounter also set the fragments on their collision course. They struck Jupiter in sequence, between 16 and 22 July 1994. A number of the impacts produced large dark clouds in Jupiter's atmosphere, as well as vivid fireballs observable in the infrared. The dark clouds were discernible for several months before being dispersed by winds and turbulence.
|