http://SaturnianCosmology.Org/ mirrored file For complete access to all the files of this collection see http://SaturnianCosmology.org/search.php ========================================================== *PRESS RELEASE* *Date Released:* Thursday, July 7, 2005 Source: Joint Astronomy Centre * UK Infrared Telescope First to Detect Flare From Deep Impact* Astronomers at the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope in Hawaii were the first at a large research observatory to detect the success of NASA's Deep Impact mission to comet Tempel 1, measuring the effects of the impact even before confirmation arrived from mission control at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. At 19:52:05 Hawaiian Standard Time on 3rd July, astronomers using the UK Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) saw a sudden and dramatic increase in the brightness of the comet. "We immediately realised that we were seeing the result of the impactor hitting the comet" said Dr. Paul Hirst, an astronomer at the Joint Astronomy Centre, which operates UKIRT. UKIRT detected the flare with its 'Fast Guide Camera' - a visible-light camera that measured the comet's brightness 20 times per second. The results were displayed instantly, so the team did not have to wait for the data to be processed. Prof. Steve Miller of University College London explained: "UKIRT's measurements were the first clear signal that impact had actually occurred. Major observatories around the world had joined a vast videoconference to share results, and Paul Hirst immediately told all the participants that UKIRT had detected the impact." Within about a minute, the comet flared to double its pre-impact brightness, and within an hour it was ten times brighter than before the impact. By measuring the rate at which the brightness increased, Prof. Miller estimated that the debris from the comet had been flung out at speeds of approximately 1100 kilometres per hour (700 miles per hour). It was particularly exciting to detect the impact with the Fast Guide Camera, which was designed purely to improve measurements with UKIRT's main scientific instruments by correcting for atmospheric turbulence. These results are an unexpected bonus in addition to Prof. Miller's main project, the measurement of hot water vapour produced by the impact. Prof. Gary Davis, Director of the Joint Astronomy Centre, said "We believe comets are composed of the pristine raw material from which our Solar System formed. Studying them can tell us more about the formation of other planetary systems. The results from UKIRT are stunning."