In K-band (2.2 micron) infrared images obtained with the 
PtSi camera mounted on the SAAO 0.75 m telescope at 
Sutherland, a bright fireball was observed by 
Dr. Kaz Sekiguchi of SAAO. The fireball appeared at the 
predicted location on the SE limb of Jupiter. The images 
were taken at 30 second intervals. The earliest faint 
signs of the fireball appear at about 20:17-20:18 UT, 
and at peak brightness it was comparable in brightness 
to Io. After 10 minutes, the fireball image appears to 
change shape, becoming elongated along the limb, 
presumably as the heated plume settles back. The last 
traces along the limb are visible at least as late as 
20:38 UT. The rise in brightness is much faster than 
the decline. 

The time sequence proceeds from top left to bottom right. 
The images are 30 sec exposures, at intervals of 1 minute, 
starting at 2017 UT, ending at 2032 UT. South is up and 
west is to the left. The bright moon is Io, and the Great 
Red Spot is clearly visible on the surface of Jupiter. 
The impact produced a flare which rapidly increased in 
brightness and decayed slowly. This flare is probably 
from a plume of material which becomes visible above the 
limb of Jupiter. Rotation probably plays little part in 
the observed event.