Mystery impact on Jupiter

[DougP]

Mystery impact leaves Earth-size mark on Jupiter (http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/space/07/21/jupiter.nasa.meteor.scar/index.html)

Dayum! That's a big bitch!!

An amateur astronomer in Australia noticed the new mark on the planet Sunday and tipped off scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, who then confirmed it was the result of a new impact, NASA said.

It's not clear what the object was that crashed into Jupiter's poisonous atmosphere.

Glenn Orton, a JPL scientist, told the magazine New Scientist that it could have been a block of ice from somewhere in Jupiter's neighborhood, or a wandering comet that was too faint for astronomers to have detected before impact.

"We were extremely lucky to be seeing Jupiter at exactly the right time, the right hour, the right side of Jupiter to witness the event. We couldn't have planned it better," Orton said in a NASA interview.

Scientists also don't know how large the object was, but the impact scar it created is about the same size as Earth, JPL astronomer Leigh Fletcher told the magazine.

[Sex Wax]

It all has to do with the eclipse tomorrow.

[Carl]

That's kind of scary that they didn't detect something that big flying through our solar system... If that thing was on a collision course for Earth, we'd have been ******.

[abonifi1]

That's kind of scary that they didn't detect something that big flying through our solar system... If that thing was on a collision course for Earth, we'd have been ******.

If it was that big after enetering the atmosphere, how big was it before that?

Where's Angus when you need answers like this...

[TheLastDon]

That's kind of scary that they didn't detect something that big flying through our solar system... If that thing was on a collision course for Earth, we'd have been ******.

Damn dude, didn't you even watch Armageddon? You know how much the US has to spend on that shit? Looking for asteroids and stuff? :scratchchin:

Shit, I would google it for you but this is JU, why should I have to?:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Richard Burns]

Tomorrow after the eclipse the end of humanity. Life after people begins.












































SIKE!

[Alana]

It is only the second time scientists have been able to observe such an impact on Jupiter. The first happened 15 years ago, when comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 broke into 21 pieces and hit the planet's atmosphere.

i know i'm not old, but reading that makes me feel old. SL9 was 15 years ago.... i remember watching that on TV in HS.

[dk]

That's kind of scary that they didn't detect something that big flying through our solar system... If that thing was on a collision course for Earth, we'd have been ******.

They probably would have detected it if it was on a collision course with Earth. Are we our planetary neighbors' keeper?

[abonifi1]

They probably would have detected it if it was on a collision course with Earth. Are we our planetary neighbors' keeper?

:scratchchin::scratchchin::scratchchin: I wonder?

[DougP]

They probably would have detected it if it was on a collision course with Earth. Are we our planetary neighbors' keeper?

ROR, Policing the solar system!! **** yeah!!

We told Jupiter if they didn't dismantle their nuclear reactors and shave their mustaches, we'd take stern action to protect our freedom!!

[abonifi1]

ROR, Policing the solar system!! **** yeah!!

We told Jupiter if they didn't dismantle their nuclear reactors and shave their mustaches, we'd take stern action to protect our freedom!!

Don't forget cutting down on their greenhouse gas production.

[DougP]

Don't forget cutting down on their greenhouse gas production.

LMAO :w00t: You just know those Jupe-leftists are pitching a fit right now. Or as I call them Jupiter Watermelons (green on the outside, red on the inside)

[Crazysix]

That's kind of scary that they didn't detect something that big flying through our solar system... If that thing was on a collision course for Earth, we'd have been ******.

why??? we cant even detect Bin laden's location and that is a hell of lot closer!!!!

[Oxmix]

That's kind of scary that they didn't detect something that big flying through our solar system... If that thing was on a collision course for Earth, we'd have been ******.

Talking about it on Japan Update. :grin1:

Regards

Ox