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Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 at Kitt Peak (1Sep94) (from KPNO, NOAO Newsletter No. 39, 1 September 1994) Last fall, KPNO solicited proposals for observations of the impact of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 on Jupiter using telescopes on Kitt Peak. Two programs were scheduled, one at the 4-m and one at the 2.1-m. The 4-m observers were Edward A. Cohen from JPL, Ken Hinkle from NOAO, Gordon Bjoraker and Pedro Sada from Goddard Space Flight Center, and Keith Noll from the Space Telescope Science Institute, using the Fourier Transform Spectrometer to look for spectroscopic signatures of gases exhumed from the lower Jovian atmosphere by the impact. On the 2.1-m astronomers Clark Chapman, Carol Neese, Bill Merline, Don Davis, and Steve Howell from the Planetary Sciences Institute, and Phil Massey from NOAO attempted to determine the size distribution of the impact fragments by observing the flashes from the back side of Jupiter reflected off both sunlit and eclipsed moons of Jupiter, using an optical CCD detector with high time resolution. Observing time on the 0.9-m and 1.3-m telescopes was also allocated to KPNO staff. Sadly (and predictably) our summer monsoon arrived on schedule, and little observational data was obtained. A brief period of clear weather did allow observations of the collision of fragment V, but the impact was minor. Our public program, however, was a great success. We took reservations for up to 60 vehicles to visit the mountain on the night of 16 July. Counting staff and volunteers, we hosted a crowd of nearly 300. We set up our own small telescopes, opened the 0.9-m to the public, and the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association brought up many more telescopes. A live video feed was provided from the 4-m FTS guide camera, as well as a "network" console to show what other observatories were finding. While the weather was too poor for science observations, brief breaks in the clouds did provide good viewing for our public visitors, and a good time was had by all. Caty Pilachowski
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