Evidence For 200-Year-Old Comet Impact On Neptune

Posted by kdawson on Tuesday July 20, 2010 @12:58PM from the cold-case-file dept.

astroengine writes "Astronomers using ESA's Herschel space observatory have spotted evidence of a cometary impact in Neptune's upper atmosphere (publication, PDF). Whereas impact craters on rocky planetary bodies can remain for billions of years, an impact in the dynamic atmospheres of gas giants aren't obvious, especially if long periods of time have elapsed. This ultimate 'cold case' tracked the unusual distribution of carbon monoxide in Neptune's stratosphere, a sure sign it was deposited there by an external source. Once they realized they were looking at a comet impact, researchers were able to deduce when the impact occurred: 200 years ago."

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Re:Impact probability by DerekLyons · 2010-07-20 17:12 · Score: 1, Flamebait

What I want to know is how we know what a comet that impacted a gas giant 200 years ago would look like in the atmosphere 200 years after the fact.
If you read the abstract or the article linked in the summary, you'd know.

The balance of your reply makes it clear why you didn't however.

And someone else believes this bullshit?
Yes, I believe you're full of bullshit. Willfully and knowingly so. And you revel in it.