The Orbital Motion and Impact Circumstances of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9

Abstract

Two months after the discovery of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 came the astonishing announcement that the comet would impact Jupiter in July 1994. Computing the orbital motion of this remarkable comet presented several unusual challenges. We review the pre-impact orbit computations and impact predictions for SL9, from the preliminary orbit solutions shortly after discovery to the final set of predictions before the impacts.