NEW IMPACT ON JUPITER
By Andrew Robertson, SPA Planetary Section Director
SPA members may or may not be aware of a possible new impact on Jupiter.
Amateur astronomers Anthony Wesley of Australia and Christopher Go of
the Philippines have independently observed a bright flash of light on
Jupiter at 20:31 UT on June 3. See
http://spaceweather.com/ for a
report and links to videos of the event. The likely scenario for this
is believed to be an impact but observations made by amateurs in
Western Europe as Jupiter came into view following the event revealed
no impact scar. However only low-resolution images were possible
owing to Jupiter's low altitude in a bright sky. Any observations
would be welcomed at
http://popastro.com/planet/contact/ .
Also, if you do get a chance to look at Jupiter (which I appreciate
will be difficult until Jupiter gets higher and in a darker sky) don't
forget that the SEB which has almost vanished.
COMET C/2009 R1 McNAUGHT
Heavens Above
It may be possible to observe Comet C/2009 R1 McNaught low on the
north-east horizon during this month. Australian astronomer Robert
McNaught discovered the comet last September with the 0.5-m Schmidt
telescope at Siding Spring. The comet will reach perihelion on July 2
at a distance of 0.4 AU and is predicted to reach magnitude 5. On
June 21 it will be less than 2° above Capella. A finding chart can be
found at
www.heavens-above.com .
Topic: Jupiter impact and comet alert (Read 840 times)