Jupiter Hit by Large Object, NASA Says

(AP)  Astronomers say Jupiter has apparently been struck by an object, possibly a comet.

Images taken by NASA early Monday show a scar in the atmosphere near the south pole of the gas giant.

The images, taken by the space agency's infrared telescope in Hawaii, come on the 15th anniversary of another comet strike.

In 1994, Jupiter was bombarded by pieces of the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9.

Scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena captured the new images after receiving a tip from an amateur astronomer the night before.

[magicwolf1]

What amateur astronomer reported this to NASA? Let's give some credit where credit's due!

[rf35]

He prefers to remain anonymous because was trying to find Uranus when he spotted the impact and would prefer to avoid the inevitable jokes.

[erasmus111]

by loublain July 21, 2009 4:37 AM EDT
Imagine the headline "Life on Earth wiped out by comet" oops no readership.



Just a matter of time.

[Slrman-21001573651763300012869]

Come on UFO nuts, conspiracy cults, too. Let's here how it was space aliens whose identity and presence are being covered up by a global consortium of multi-national businesses that are secretly running all governments. Is that enough fodder to get you going?

[docpeter1953]

Yes, but you already mentioned everything.

Thanks for ruining the news and discussion(s) for me.

[loublain]

Great! something big enough to wipe out life on earth hits Jupiter and our watchful scientists are "tipped off" by an amateur? What about our wonderful near earth orbit monitoring program. Imagine the headline "Life on Earth wiped out by comet" oops no readership.

[displeased]

I also thought it was odd the scientists were tipped off by an amateur. However, I certainly hope the scientists are watching for objects that are a threat to earth. This one obviously wasn't.

[rf35]

Comet my azz. It was obviously the lunar aliens celebrating the 40th anniversary of when they scared the Earthlings off of their own moon. Their version of fireworks, no doubt.