Title: Impact on Earth.   
Subject(s): COMETS -- Observations; JUPITER (Planet)
Source: Sky & Telescope, Feb95, Vol. 89 Issue 2, p100, 1p, 1c
Author(s): Levy, David H.
Abstract: Cites the impact of the collision of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9
and Jupiter on the inhabitants of the Earth. Pride of an astronomer;
Enthusiasm in the White House; Children's impression of the event;
Promotion of the wonders of the universe in schools.
AN: 9501165055
ISSN: 0037-6604
Note: Tucson-Pima Public Library subscribes to this magazine.
Database: MasterFILE Elite

STAR TRAILS

IMPACT ON EARTH

THERE WAS something magical about Periodic Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9's
weeklong collision with Jupiter last July. You could walk down a
street, call yourself an astronomer, and not get funny looks. That
week you were proud to be an astronomer, and such times don't come
around very often.

Indeed, the Great Comet Crash had a profound impact on Earth. The
plight of gas-giant Jupiter seemed to capture the public's imagination
in a way unmatched by any other recent astronomical event.

Taking on a life of its own, the story spread in every conceivable
direction. Naturally the tabloids got into the act, featuring
front-page banners that blasted away at the attention of shoppers.
"Jupiter Radios Earth for Help!" screamed one bombastic headline in
the Weekly World News. Local news organizations reported daily on how
the drama unfolded. I cannot recall a time when the words "amateur
astronomer" were mentioned in the media so often.

On July 20th the enthusiasm even spread to the White House, where
Eugene and Carolyn Shoemaker and I were invited to help celebrate the
25th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. President Clinton
listened carefully as Neil Armstrong acknowledged Shoemaker for
teaching him what geological features to look for on the Moon. "Our
old astrogeology mentor, Gene Shoemaker, even called in one of his
comets to mark the occasion with spectacular Jovian fireworks!"
quipped Armstrong.

Later that afternoon we talked at some length with Vice President
Gore. I was frankly delighted with his keen interest in the impacts;
he had obviously kept abreast of the news. One night he even observed
the Great Dark Spots with one of the large telescopes in his backyard
at the U.S. Naval Observatory. I was also happy to learn that the Vice
President perceives light pollution as a significant environmental
issue. I cannot stress how great it is to have someone at the highest
level of government aware that the night sky is an integral part of
our natural environment.

During impact week the U.S. Congress got involved too. On July 19th
the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology voted to direct
NASA to mount a search for all Earth-crossing asteroids and comets one
kilometer in diameter or greater. Our nation is waking up to the fact
that the Earth's neighborhood is a crowded place and that there is a
1-in-1,000 chance that something big could hit us within the next
century.

IMPACT ON CHILDREN

On the night of July 21st I joined several hundred people at the Naval
Observatory to view Jupiter through its impressive 26- and 12-inch
refractors. Although the impact scars were astonishingly prominent, I
was more impressed with how delighted the children were at seeing
them. One seven-year-old boy approached me with a big smile. "I just
saw three great big spots on Jupiter!"

"Where were they on Jupiter?" I inquired.

"Right along the top," he replied. "I saw the comet-crash spots!" As
he went down the line, telling people what they would see through the
telescope, I thought, "Score one for the sky!" With a little
encouragement, this young person might go on to enjoy astronomy for
the rest of his life.

Later I spent some time talking with teachers about the event.
Children relate to impacts, I learned. Of course, what child in this
Jurassic Park era isn't at least mildly aware of the great dinosaur
extinction 65 million years ago? The fact that an impact may have
caused that ancient event only helped to fuel the children's interest
in the Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 collision with Jupiter.

It would be so good for us as educators to build on this concept. For
once we don't have to work hard to connect the sky with happenings
here on Earth. No one, from a member of Congress to my young friend,
needs to be persuaded that the impacts we witnessed on Jupiter could
happen here someday. The challenge is not to get people aware, but to
keep them informed.

The events on Jupiter have also focused the public eye on how
enriching astronomy can be, and has been, in our daily lives. For now
amateur astronomers are not strange neighbors with telescopes in their
backyards. Public curiosity has been aroused in many countries around
the world. Now we should increase our efforts, at star parties, in
schools -- wherever we can -- to promote the wonders of the universe.
More than any other group, amateur astronomers are missionaries of the
sky, and the curtain is up for us.

PHOTO: After learning about the collision between Comet Shoemaker-Levy
9 and Jupiter, students at the Bridge Elementay School in Lexington,
Massachusetts, were asked to draw their impressions of the event.
Seven-year-old Stephen Kanter's artwork is shown above.

~~~~~~~~

By David H. Levy

Levy is a big hit in his hometown of Tuscon, Arizona
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Source: Sky & Telescope, Feb95, Vol. 89 Issue 2, p100, 1p, 1c.
Item Number: 9501165055