Never before have we had the chance to observe a predicted impact. The comet was observed as a string of objects, and by playing its orbit backwards in time, it was determined to have come within slightly under 9,000 miles of Jupiter cloud tops, according to the latest estimates, on July 8, l992. In the visual arena, they not only include drawings, strip sketches and central meridian transits with their standard forms included, but suggest a whole gamut of things to look for, both directly and with instruments. Bright clouds or dark blue clouds caused by vortex effect. Overall brightening of the whole planet , by perhaps two magnitudes.
Dust plumes against the clouds or projected from the limb.
Auroral glow , probably visible near limb. Bright reflections from satellites. Shock or gravity waves. Rollin P. Van Zandt AL Publications Chairman. Reviewed in the May 1994 issue.