Object Hits Jupiter, New NASA Images Indicate

[Apocalypse]

ScienceDaily (July 21, 2009) — Scientists have found evidence that another object has bombarded Jupiter, exactly 15 years after the first impacts by the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9.

Following up on a tip by an amateur astronomer, Anthony Wesley of Australia, that a new dark "scar" had suddenly appeared on Jupiter, this morning between 3 and 9 a.m. PDT (6 a.m. and noon EDT) scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., using NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility at the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii, gathered evidence indicating an impact.

New infrared images show the likely impact point was near the south polar region, with a visibly dark "scar" and bright upwelling particles in the upper atmosphere detected in near-infrared wavelengths, and a warming of the upper troposphere with possible extra emission from ammonia gas detected at mid-infrared wavelengths.

"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," said Glenn Orton, a scientist at JPL.


Object Hits Jupiter, New NASA Images Indicate

They say that if this object would have hit Earth instead, a large-sized country would be utterly removed from existence.

It's very disturbing that some straying object in space could simply decide to fall on Earth one day and end Humanity just like that.

 

[LiveUninhibited]

They say that if this object would have hit Earth instead, a large-sized country would be utterly removed from existence.

It's very disturbing that some straying object in space could simply decide to fall on Earth one day and end Humanity just like that.

Yeah it's not a matter of if but when, and it wouldn't be the first time, only the first time since civilization began (though smaller ones have hit). Jupiter does reduce the rate because of its huge gravitational influence. Would be prudent to develop countermeasures to asteroids. They thought Apophis had a chance to hit us in a few decades before.

 

[MrFungus420]

That's why the space program is so important to us as a species.

As long as we are confined to just this planet, we could be completely wiped out by one such major event like that.

 

[Apocalypse]

That's why the space program is so important to us as a species.

As long as we are confined to just this planet, we could be completely wiped out by one such major event like that.

This is my own thought as well.
Humanity should spread to nearby stars as soon as possible.

 

[Red_Dave]

They say that if this object would have hit Earth instead, a large-sized country would be utterly removed from existence.

It's very disturbing that some straying object in space could simply decide to fall on Earth one day and end Humanity just like that.

Which is something those who complain NASA and the like is a waste of money should bear in mind.

 

[Ethereal]

That's why the space program is so important to us as a species.

As long as we are confined to just this planet, we could be completely wiped out by one such major event like that.

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology - Interactives: Keeping an Eye on Space Rocks

Flash media player required.

 

[Oftencold]

This is my own thought as well.
Humanity should spread to nearby stars as soon as possible.

"As soon as possible" is millions of years from now.

Blame it on Einstein.

 

[Apocalypse]

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology - Interactives: Keeping an Eye on Space Rocks

Flash media player required.

Very nice site.
It shows somewhere in the presentation there the meteor that hit earth 65 million years ago and allegedly led to the dinosaurs extinction.
That's 65 million years ago, gotta wonder what's the ratio for huge meteor collisions.

 

[Goshin]

"As soon as possible" is millions of years from now.

Blame it on Einstein.

Einstein will not be the last genius to kick over the scientific applecart, and Relativity will not be the last word on physics.

In other words, you might be a tad too pessimistic.

 

[Oftencold]

Einstein will not be the last genius to kick over the scientific applecart, and Relativity will not be the last word on physics.

In other words, you might be a tad too pessimistic.

Twenty years ago, I'd have agreed. Now civilization seems to be poised to recede. I think of how much learning and technology was lost when Rome fell.

I have doubts that we'll ever expands into the Universe.

 

[Scarecrow Akhbar]

Very nice site.
It shows somewhere in the presentation there the meteor that hit earth 65 million years ago and allegedly led to the dinosaurs extinction.
That's 65 million years ago, gotta wonder what's the ratio for huge meteor collisions.

A monster whacked the Chesapeake Bay area some 35 million years ago.

The meteor crater in Arizona is roughly 50,000 years old. That one was roughly ten megatons.

The Tunguska event was 100 years ago. That was also about 10-20 megatons.

Anything like the last two could initiate a nuclear war if it comes as a surprise.

 

[Gray_Fox_86]

They say that if this object would have hit Earth instead, a large-sized country would be utterly removed from existence.

It's very disturbing that some straying object in space could simply decide to fall on Earth one day and end Humanity just like that.

I don't know if you know the answer to this, but if anyone does. Go ahead and answer the question. Is it possible for life to begin on Jupiter if it continues to get hit by giant asteroids? Maybe it wouldn't be life like we know it, but it could possibly happen?

 

[Apocalypse]

I don't know if you know the answer to this, but if anyone does. Go ahead and answer the question. Is it possible for life to begin on Jupiter if it continues to get hit by giant asteroids? Maybe it wouldn't be life like we know it, but it could possibly happen?

That's one of the theories of how life came to Earth, so I guess it is possible if the asteroids are carrying life forms with them.