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SL9 Predictions and Puzzles (6 months after event)

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How good were the predictions?

• Fragmentation above clouds? Yes.

• Explosion above and below clouds (depending on fragment size?) Yes.

• Magnetic distortion of coma? Maybe.

• Pressure waves? Maybe.

• Plumes? Yes.

  • Timescales ~15-20 minutes.
  • Rich in gas emission lines.

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Puzzles:

• Sizes of the 21 Fragments. Models have to match:

  • Kinetic energy.
  • Penetration depth.
  • Fireball heights.
  • Atmospheric, seismic waves (not seen).
  • Lack of reflections off Jovian satellites.

• Fragility of SL9

  • If was so fragile, how did it exist for 4.5 billion years?

• Unusual Comet. Had characteristics of an asteroid.

  • Devoid of oxygen-rich ices.
  • Radio emissions from Jupiter surged during impacts.
  • Cloaked in dust. Didn't see the fragments.

• Dark material remained dark at wavelengths ranging from the UV to the near IR. This limits material composition to be organic compounds rich in sulfur and nitrogen, or carbon-based materials as graphite.

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Last Modified by Amara Graps on 26 November 2003. © Copyright Amara Graps, 1995-2003.