Optical imaging of the impact plume on Jupiter from fragment L of comet D/Shoemaker-Levy 9

We report optical CCD imaging and photometry of the impact plume on Jupiter resulting from the destruction of fragment L of D/Shoemaker-Levy 9. The plume appears resolved in several frames, with the largest dimensions appearing similar to those of other plumes imaged by HST. The light curve and timings are consistent with an ejection velocity for the plume material of v≃ 20 km s−1. The plume itself was detected by reflected sunlight from dust grains, and the observed fluxes are consistent with an optically thick plume composed of silicates. A large flare in the light curve was observed ∼ 7 min after the initial maximum, the cause of which is unclear.