B. A. Klumov, V. I. Kondaurov, A. V. Konyukhov, Yu. D. Medvedev, A. G. Sokolskii, S. V. Utyuzhnikov, V. E. Fortov, “Collision of comet Shoemaker—Levi 9 with Jupiter: what shall we see?”, UFN, 1994, Volume 164, Number 6,Pages <nobr>617

This article is cited in 24 papers

PHYSICS OF OUR DAYS

Collision of comet Shoemaker—Levi 9 with Jupiter: what shall we see?

B. A. Klumov^a, V. I. Kondaurov^b, A. V. Konyukhov^c, Yu. D. Medvedev^d, A. G. Sokolskii^d, S. V. Utyuzhnikov^c, V. E. Fortov^b

^a Institute of Dynamics of Geospheres, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow
^b Institute for High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow
^c Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Dolgoprudny, Moscow region
^d Institute of Theoretical Astronomy, Russian Academy of Sciences

Abstract: In July 1994 a dramatic cosmic event will take place: comet Shoemaker—Levi 9 will collide with Jupiter. The entry of the comet into the atmosphere of Jupiter will be accompanied by a rapid energy release and an explosion will take place. The energy released during the explosion, of the order of 10⁷ Mt, will exceed by some thousandfold the total nuclear potential accumulated by mankind. Some characteristics of the interaction of the comet with Jupiter are discussed and possible consequences of the collision are outlined.

PACS: 96.50.Gn, 96.30.Kf

Received: May 1, 1994

DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0164.199406c.0617