Program: GS-2009B-DD-1

We propose to characterize the evolution of the physical and chemical state of Jupiter's atmosphereat and around the location of the July 19 impact. This event provides us with the opportunity to examine the influence of a single impact, rather than the confusion of often indistinct events in the Comet Shoemaker-Levy impacts of 1994. We have begun this sequence with mid-infrared imaging and broad N- and Q-band survey spectrscopy in the 7 days since our initial verification of the impact on July 20. Below we make the case for (A) continued imaging of the evolution of the feature, and (B) high-resolution spectroscopy to follow up our low-resolution N-band survey. Based on Shoemaker-Levy 9 observations, we expect the near-IR particulate "signature" in the atmosphere to be present over a few months, but the mid-IR temperature and composition to last only over time scales of weeks. At this time, the energy associated with the impactor is not well characterized and thus there is considerable uncertainty in the duration of these effects. T-Recs is the only instrument available to make these observations. Michelle is off-line until September 23. VISIR (VLT) is off line until Aug 5. The Subaru director has not consented to change its classical schedule to accomodate Jupiter observations.