Space

Herschel Links Jupiter’s Water to Comet Impact

Jupiter G impact evolution

Shoemaker-Levy 9 impact site G

EU–(ENEWSPF)–23 April 2013.  ESA’s Herschel space observatory has solved a long-standing mystery as to the origin of water in the upper atmosphere of Jupiter, finding conclusive evidence that it was delivered by the dramatic impact of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 in July 1994.

During the spectacular week-long collision, a string of 21 comet fragments pounded into the southern hemisphere of Jupiter, leaving dark scars in the planet’s atmosphere that persisted for…

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