Collision of comet Shoemaker—Levi 9 with Jupiter: what shall we see?

In July 1994 a dramatic cosmic event will take place: comet Shoemaker—Levi 9 will collide with Jupiter. The entry of the comet into the atmosphere of Jupiter will be accompanied by a rapid energy release and an explosion will take place. The energy released during the explosion, of the order of 10⁷ Mt, will exceed by some thousandfold the total nuclear potential accumulated by mankind. Some characteristics of the interaction of the comet with Jupiter are discussed and possible consequences of the collision are outlined.