Jupiter, our colorfully spotted gas giant neighbor was hit, again, by a meteor on Friday. The brief flash, which astronomers now think may happen a bit more frequently than previously thought, was captured on film by amateur astronomer Masayuki Tashikawa:
Follow-up observations by Hubble, et al, have determined this is most likely a legit impact, albeit one that will not leave a blackened scar like the well-documented impact from July 2009.
Further observations may be necessary to confirm beyond a doubt that this was indeed an impact and not some earth-bound satellite reflecting sunlight, but for now astronomers—professonal, amateur or otherwise—are fairly optimistic that is was. [MSNBC]
