Hubble Telescope used to snaps image of Jupiter scar

(CNN) — In an unusual step, NASA scientists interrupted testing of the refurbished Hubble Space Telescope to aim the orbiter’s camera at Jupiter and capture an image of the planet’s mysterious new scar.

The revamped Hubble telescope captured these images of an impact scar near Jupiter’s south pole.

The revamped Hubble telescope captured these images of an impact scar near Jupiter’s south pole.

The resulting picture, taken Thursday, is the sharpest visible-light photo of the dark spot and Hubble’s first science observation since astronauts repaired and upgraded it in May, NASA said.

Earth-based telescopes have been trained on Jupiter since an amateur astronomer in Australia noticed the new mark, probably created when a small comet or asteroid plunged into Jupiter’s atmosphere and disintegrated, early Monday.

But in its rarified orbit 347 miles above the Earth, the Hubble has a better view of the gaseous planet.

This week’s event marks only the second time scientists have recorded debris colliding with Jupiter, the fifth planet from the sun and the largest in our solar system. The appearance of the impact spot is changing day to day in the planet’s cloud tops, making it a priority for scientists to document it quickly.

via Hubble reawakens, snaps image of Jupiter scar – CNN.com.