The impact of fragment K was recorded in clear skies by CASPIR on the ANU 2.3 m
telescope at Siding Spring Observatory. No reflected emission was seen from the
satellite Europa. The first indication of a plume was detected at UT 10:21:22
at 2.34 microns. Shortly after, at UT 10:24:33, a bright fireball was detected
which grow to twice the size of the nearest remnant impact site by UT 10:25:54.
The K impact site remained at constant brightness until UT 10:31:40 when an
intense central core brightened sufficiently to cast diffraction spikes across
the array. As the impact site rotated into view the fireball increased in
brightness rapidly. By UT 10:33:02 we estimate that it was slightly brighter
than the peak brightness of impact G observed yesterday. Observations at 4.78
microns beginning at UT 10:48 show a bright region at the impact site. Images
at wavelengths between 3 and 5 microns show a wave moving out from the impact
site, similar to that detected by us for impact G. Observations continue.
Peter McGregor and Mark Allen Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories The Australian National University