HST imaging of atmospheric phenomena created by the impact of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9

Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images reveal major atmospheric changes created by the collision of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with Jupiter. Plumes rose to 3000 kilometers with ejection velocities on the order of 10 kilometers second^(-1); some plumes were visible in the shadow of Jupiter before rising into sunlight. During some impacts, the incoming bolide may have been detected. Impact times were on average about 8 minutes later than predicted. Atmospheric waves were seen with a wave front speed of 454 ± 20 meters second^(-1). The HST images reveal impact site evolution and record the overall change in Jupiter's appearance as a result of the bombardment.