Astronomers are seeking help to identify a mystery object that may have hit Saturn on Saturday. The object, which is believed to be over 1 kilometre across, is thought to be the first recorded instance of a space object crashing onto the gas giant. A new image captured by NASA employee Mario Rana appears to show an impact event on Saturn.
The image was taken last Saturday and shows a faint glow in the left side of the footage, which seems like an impact event. The Planetary Virtual Observatory and Laboratory (PVOL) has called for experts in the field to attempt to confirm or refute the potential impact on Saturn.
PVOL is urging amateur astronomers who may have captured observations from this time period to contact Marc Delcroix and submit their data. Dr. Leigh N Fletcher, a planetary science professor at the University of Leicester, is also calling on amateur space observers to share any potential videos they may have of the impact.
Studies suggest that large objects strike Saturn once every 3,125 years on average, but none have been spotted in the act by astronomers so far. The gas giant’s outer layers are made up of hydrogen and helium, which can cause strikes by asteroids or comets to quickly fade out without leaving any visible signs.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/space/saturn-crash-mystery-object-asteroid-b2784450.html