An amateur astronomer got the shot of a lifetime Monday night when something impacted the planet of Jupiter.
George Hall said he had his 10-year-old, high-powered telescope set up in the middle of the city of Dallas, which usually doesn't afford him the best view of the sky. But this time he was able to capture video that has the astronomy world buzzing.
Hall's telescope caught a meteor or comet hitting the planet. It resulted in a huge explosion on the surface of Jupiter and a white flare that was visible for only about two seconds.
A man named Don Peterson in Wisconsin was the first to report seeing the explosion. But Hall has the only known video proof of the event, which he posted online.
"Amateur astronomers around the world were exchanging emails about this. My website overnight had over 50,000 hits from people looking at this. And this morning I posted a little video of it on Flickr and I noticed a while ago it had 75,000 hits on it so there's a lot of interest," Hall said.
Fort Worth astronomer Don Garland said after the explosion on Jupiter a few years ago called Shoemaker Levy 9, more amateur astronomers have been watching the planet.
There are thousands of things crashing into Jupiter, but catching them on video is rare, he said.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:33 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:33:20 GMT
A New Jersey priest who resigned after admitting he worked unsupervised with kids despite a legal agreement that barred him from doing so is headed to court.
A New Jersey priest who resigned after admitting he worked unsupervised with kids despite a legal agreement that barred him from doing so is headed to court.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:23:53 GMT
The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine. Kennedy was juror No. 7 at the trial of Harlem resident Nelson Chatman.
The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine. Kennedy was juror No. 7 at the trial of Harlem resident Nelson Chatman.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:51 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:51:26 GMT
The Metropolitan Opera says it's decided to disband its resident ballet company.
The Metropolitan Opera says it's decided to disband its resident ballet company. The American Guild of Musical Artists said the eight remaining dancers of the Metropolitan Opera Ballet have accepted buyout packages.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:06 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:06:47 GMT
Looking for some waterfront property in tony Greenwich? A 50-acre compound known as Copper Beach Farm has hit the market with an asking price of $190 million.
Looking for some waterfront property in tony Greenwich? A 50-acre compound known as Copper Beach Farm has hit the market with an asking price of $190 million.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:42 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:42:18 GMT
Omar Morales feels lucky to be here for his son Joshua's 10th birthday on Monday. Morales was one of the passengers on board a USAir flight that made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty.
Omar Morales feels lucky to be here for his son Joshua's 10th birthday on Monday. Morales was one of the passengers on board a USAir flight that made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:28:23 GMT
After Assemblyman Vito Lopez resigned over claims of serial sexual harassment of female staffers, attention turned to whether powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver should continue his leadership.
After Assemblyman Vito Lopez resigned over claims of serial sexual harassment of female staffers, attention turned to whether powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver should continue his leadership.
