Comet
Shoemaker-Levy 9
TypeComet
Mass~1 × 10¹³ kg
Diameter1.8 km
Orbital RadiusCaptured by Jupiter
Orbital Period~730 days
Known Moons0
Surface Gravity~0.0001 m/s²
Average Temp-70 °C
Discovered ByShoemaker and Levy
Discovery Year1993
About Shoemaker-Levy 9
The comet that famously crashed into Jupiter in July 1994. Had been captured by Jupiter gravity and torn into 21 fragments. Impact created dark scars in Jupiter atmosphere larger than Earth. First directly observed extraterrestrial collision. Changed our understanding of impact physics and planetary defense.
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