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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Officials briefly turned Hubble back on to take photos of Jupiter's new "scar," an impact site approximately as big as the diameter of earth.

What I was surprised to learn is that the "impact site" is actually through the thick cloud layer surrounding the planet. If I understood this correctly, we cannot see the actual surface of jupiter. We just see the thick cloud layer.

By -epm, at 7:26 AM
Well, Jupiter is a gas giant. There is no "surface" as we would know it. just increasing densities and pressures of gas.

At least that's the theory.

Bottom line: Something as big as the bggest chunk of Shoemaker Levy hit Jupiter, apparently on the opther side, and we didn't even have it sighted.

By mikevotes, at 11:46 AM
Jupiter and the other gas giants scoop up a lot of space stuff.
We should be thankful that happens.

An impact like that on earth would wipe out a continent, and totally mess up your day.

By r8r, at 9:38 AM