An analytical model of the comet's collision with Jupiter (Q1918939)

We employ an analytical model of constant density, uniform finite depth and inviscid fluid layer to investigate the wave motion produced by the impact of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 on the Jovian atmosphere. The relevant thermal effects are neglected, and an explosion resulting from the collision is then described by an initial impulsive pressure at the surface of the Jovian atmosphere. Under the assumption that all the kinetic energy of a comet fragment is completely converted into the energy of wave motions in the Jovian atmosphere, an analytical formula describing the relationship between the resulting wave motion in the atmosphere and the parameters of a comet fragment (the radius, density and speed) is derived. Results from the present simple analytical model give a qualitative agreement with observations regarding the distance and speed of the waves.