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Numerical simulations of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 impact plumes and clouds: A progress report

July 1, 1995

Preliminary 2D/3D numerical simulations were carried out for the penetration of 1-km bodies in the Jovian atmosphere and the subsequent rise and collapse of the erupted plumes. A body that crushed at a stagnation point pressure of 5 kbar produced a plume that rose to 800 km. Evolution of the shape of the calculated plume corresponds rather well to the plumes observed by HST. A crescent-shaped lobe centered on the “backfire” azimuth was produced by lateral flow during plume collapse. The plumes observed on Jupiter rose about 4 times higher, and their rise and fall times were about twice those in this calculation. Plume height is a sensitive function of the distribution of energy along the entry path; a very low-strength body will disintegrate higher along the penetration path and will produce a higher plume.

Publication Year 1995
Title Numerical simulations of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 impact plumes and clouds: A progress report
DOI 10.1029/95GL01775
Authors Eugene Merle Shoemaker, Paul J. Hassig, David J. Roddy
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Geophysical Research Letters
Index ID 70227567
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse