Solar system impacts (JUPITER)

Jupiter, the largest planet in the Solar System, acts as a natural shield by attracting comets and asteroids with its intense gravity. Throughout history, several impacts have been recorded in its atmosphere, events that generate brief but intense flashes, visible from Earth with suitable telescopes. Detecting these impacts is crucial to understanding how often smaller bodies collide in the Solar System and to improving risk models for Earth.
To record these events, high-speed cameras are used to capture videos of Jupiter during long observation periods. These videos are then analysed using specialised software to detect any unexpected flashes. In our work, we contribute to the DeTeCt project, an international initiative that coordinates the observation of Jupiter in search of new impacts. Through collaborative data analysis, multiple events have been identified in recent years, providing valuable information about the dynamics of the Solar System and Jupiter’s role in protecting our planet.