Amateur Astronomers Witness Fireballs

    Published: 06-16-2009
    Views: 9,139
    Amateur astronomers witness three different collisions, similar to the meteor that exploded over Russia in February, in Jupiter’s atmosphere.

    Amateur astronomers observed a trio of collisions in Jupiter’s atmosphere.  These fireballs are the result of meteors entering Jupiter’s atmosphere, like the meteor seen over Russia in February.  Theseevents happen about 100 times more often on Jupiter than here on Earth due to the large planet’s strong gravitational attraction. Scientists say they enter the gas giant’s atmosphere at speeds of at least 37 miles per second and disintegrate at temperatures topping 18,000 degrees F.  The impacts were observed by amateur astronomers in Australia, the Philippines, Japan, and the US.