Shoemaker-Levy 9

[_Simon_]

A while back I was told that Jupiter was made only of gas i.e no solid crust. If this is true, then how can old and new photos of Jupiter reveal the scar of Levy-9s impact? I dont understand how an impact-crater can be seen on a planet made of gas.

Well, Cheers!

 

[origin]

A while back I was told that Jupiter was made only of gas i.e no solid crust. If this is true, then how can old and new photos of Jupiter reveal the scar of Levy-9s impact? I dont understand how an impact-crater can be seen on a planet made of gas.

Well, Cheers!

There is no 'scar' on Jupiter from the comet. There was a scar that lasted a while (weeks?) but there is no mark that is left.

 

[_Simon_]

So the picture I saw on Wikipedia must have been taken within a few week of impact then. But even if the scars only last a short time - how come they appear at all. Its gas after all.

 

[Invalid]

After the pressure from Jupiter the comet exploded like the Tunguska event. The explosion created gas and debris the colored the Jupiter atmosphere temporarily.