OPTICAL IMAGING OF THE IMPACT PLUME ON JUPITER FROM FRAGMENT-L OF COMET-D SHOEMAKER-LEVY-9

We report optical CCD imaging and photometry of the impact plume on Ju piter resulting from the destruction of fragment L of D/Shoemaker-Levy 9. The plume appears resolved in several frames, with the largest dim ensions appearing similar to those of other plumes imaged by NST. The light curve and timings are consistent with an ejection velocity for t he plume material of v similar or equal to 20 km s(-1). The plume itse lf was detected by reflected sunlight from dust grains, and the observ ed fluxes are consistent with an optically thick plume composed of sil icates. A large flare in the light curve was observed similar to 7 min after the initial maximum, the cause of which is unclear.