Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


15

Jupiter Slammed by Mystery Object

Share

(Newser) – A massive mysterious object scientists believe may be a comet slammed into Jupiter yesterday, AP reports. The Earth-size impact "scar" left by the object was caught on NASA's powerful infrared telescope in Hawaii. The agency was alerted to the new mark on the planet by an amateur astronomer in England who was searching the planet with his own backyard telescope, according to the Times of London.

“I couldn’t believe it. I thought, ‘That wasn’t there before’ and then I realized Jupiter had actually been hit by something," said Anthony Wesley, 44.. Jupiter was bombarded 15 years ago with by pieces of the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9. Scientists are still studying images to determine what struck the planet.

This NASA image shows the scar from a large impact on Jupiter's south polar region captured on Monday.
This NASA image shows the scar from a large impact on Jupiter's south polar region captured on Monday.   (AP Photo/NASA/JPL)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

It could be the impact of a comet, but we don't know for sure yet. It's been a whirlwind of a day, and this on the anniversary of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 and Apollo anniversaries is amazing. - NASA scientist Glenn Orton

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
15 comments
VIEWING:
 
kokuaguy
Jul 21, 09 5:15 AM CDT
I'll wait for deebs to explain this one to us............ ; ^ ) Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
kokuaguy
Jul 21, 09 11:15 AM CDT
What have you folks got against deebs? Oh, it's just me you hate. ; ^(
Vote up! Vote down!
-2
IN RESPONSE:
SomeGuyInNC
Jul 23, 09 3:19 PM CDT
What is deebs? or do you mean dweebs. oh yeah and I hate you...( just kidding, I have no idea who you are. Lighten up)
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
veloslug
Jul 21, 09 6:14 AM CDT
Well seen, Mr. Wesley. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
Reader71485694
Jul 21, 09 9:06 AM CDT
Poor, poor Jupiter! we should send them some methane to repair their lovely atmosphere. In for a penny, in for a pound! Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0

View all 15 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

26 Stories

 NASA Will 
 Try to Free 
 Rover Stuck 
 on Mars 

Spirit has been in a sand trap since April

Nov 12, 09 5:37 PM CST
(Newser) - Help is on the way, rover. NASA will attempt to free the Mars rover Spirit from its sand-trap prison on Monday. The plucky machine got stuck in April—“the equivalent of falling through the ice over a frozen pond," says a NASA official. Spirit has been exploring Mars... More »

MORE ABOUT:
NASA • space exploration • Mars • planet • Mars rover • outer space

(Newser) - Scientists have discovered a colossal ring around Saturn, the biggest planetary ring yet found. It's enormous even by solar system standards: Among the analogies being used to make it clear to our little earthly minds is that it would take 1 billion Earths to fill it. "This thing is... More »

MORE ABOUT:
NASA • planet • Saturn • solar system • outer space


 New Planet 
 Expected to 
 Crash and Burn 

It defies laws of physics

Aug 27, 09 10:44 AM CDT
(Newser) - Scientists in the UK have discovered a planet that defies the laws of physics, the Independent reports. WASP-18b, which is orbiting a star 1,000 light years from Earth, is so big and close to the sun that it should be pulled toward it. "The spin of the star... More »

MORE ABOUT:
planet • star • sun • physics • exoplanet • Jupiter • orbit • University of St. Andrews • WASP-18b

26 Stories


World  •  Science & Health 
TwitterFollow @NewserWorld on Twitter

 
NASA • planet • Jupiter • comet • space telescope • astronomer

from our news partners