Interpretation of the Lightcurves Obtained during Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9's Impact

Abstract Optical observations of Jupiter obtained during the encounter with Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 are analyzed. The time dependences of the intensity of visible and infrared radiation caused by the impact were obtained during direct optical observations of Jupiter made by the Galileo spacecraft. Subsequent ground-based observations near Jupiter's limb registered a shining structure with peculiar optical properties. Typically, the impact of cometary fragments produced three flash-like peaks on the lightcurve as seen from Earth. An explosive model of energy release as the cometary fragments slow in the jovian atmosphere is shown to adequately explain the data obtained.