Cosmic Collision: Jupiter's Explosive Encounter

An amateur astronomer in Japan captured a video of a bright comet, or bolide, colliding with Jupiter and exploding. While this impact did not cause visible damage to Jupiter's atmosphere, previous collisions have left scars and plumes on the gas giant. Bolides, or fireballs, are not unique to Jupiter and occasionally enter Earth's atmosphere. The 1994 impact of the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 on Jupiter served as a turning point in understanding the importance of monitoring potential impacts on Earth. While bolides have not posed a significant threat to Earth, they serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the cosmos.