Thu Jul 21 03:35:49 1994


Keck views flash+plume from impact R

The W.M. Keck Observatory comet impact team reports:


At UT 5:33 (July 21) we detected the FLASH from impact R: it lasted for maybe 20 seconds: truly remarkable. Approximately 8 minutes later the plume appeared, brightened considerably and faded again over a period of approximately 8 minutes.

Based upon weather conditions (clouds, high cirrus), we observed in a narrow K-band filter (2.3 micron; 1% CO filter). Frames were obtained every 7.5 seconds, with an integration time of 4.2 seconds.

We are momentarily closed due to high humidity.

Imke de Pater, James Graham and Garrett Jernigan.

PS. Yesterday we detected the impact from the "lost fragment M", at around 6:08 UT. The impact site was clearly separate from that of K, which came into view a little later.




Last Modifikation: 94/07/21 15:35 MET
Curator: C. Kronberg (smil@agleia.de)