Jupiter impact facts for kids
Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, sometimes gets hit by objects from space. These impacts can leave big marks on its cloudy surface. Scientists watch Jupiter closely to learn more about these powerful events.
The Comet Crash of 1994
In July 1994, something amazing happened. A comet named Shoemaker-Levy 9 broke into many pieces. These pieces then crashed into Jupiter. This happened over several days.
The biggest parts of the comet left huge scars. Some of these scars were even larger than our own planet Earth! Scientists learned a lot from watching this rare event. It showed them how powerful cosmic impacts can be.
Another Impact in 2009
Many years later, in July 2009, Jupiter was hit again. An amateur astronomer first spotted a new dark spot. This "bruise" was on Jupiter's southern part.
Scientists quickly used powerful telescopes to study it. The Keck II telescope in Hawaii took pictures of the impact site. This impact was likely caused by another comet or asteroid. It reminded everyone that space is full of moving objects.
