Friday, July 24, 2009

Jupiter collision captured by Gemini Telescope

Astronomy.com - July 23, 2009
Jupiter is sporting a glowing bruise after getting unexpectedly whacked by a small solar system object, according to astronomers using the Gemini North telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii.
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Glowing scar is revealing Jupiter's secrets


San Francisco Chronicle - July 24, 2009
Whatever slammed into the surface of Jupiter and left a huge, glowing scar there remained unknown Thursday, but astronomers were delighted that the impact is revealing secrets about the planet's mysterious upper atmosphere.
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De Pater and Heidi Hammel of the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore spent Wednesday night observing the crash site with the telescope named "Michelle" at the Gemini North Observatory, one of the many specialized stargazing facilities at the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii.
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