Image from the NASA/IRTF using the near-infrared 256*256 
array camera, NSFCAM. 

This July 17 set shows the affect of the comet impacts on 
the atmosphere. At wavelengths which allow one to peer 
deep in the atmosphere (such as 1.6 um and 4.0), not much 
affect is seen. However, at wavelengths which restrict 
deep-atmosphere viewing, the impact sites are more and 
more prominent, in a relative sense to other features such 
as the Great Red Spot (near the right hand side of these 
images). Two impact sites are seen near the western limb. 
Impact Site A is the one nearest the center (left of center), 
here seen having just completed its first Jovian "day" or 
rotation after the impact of the A fragment some 12 hours 
earlier. Impact Site C, here seen just one hour after impact, 
is near the limb. In most absorption bands (such as 2.27 um), 
Impact site C is dimmer than A, indicating that it has less 
reflective clouds. However, it is quite prominent in the 
deepest absorption bands (such as 3.4 um), probably 
indicating a higher altitude cloudtop than for A,at this 
time. However, its strong prominence in both 3.4 and 3.8-um 
pictures may indicate other effects (such as thermal or 
auroral emission). 

Submitted by Kevin H. Baines for the NASA IRTF Comet 
Science Team.