Comet Shoemaker-Levy impact on Jupiter, July 1994. Artist's impression of the effect on the atmosphere of Jupiter of the impact of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9. A faint atmospheric wave is seen at lower centre, spreading from the site of a 1km diameter comet fragment impact. Other impacts have disrupted the cloud belts and atmosphere so much that the planet no longer appears as a spheroid. Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 was broken into 22 major fragments by Jupiter during a close encounter in July 1992. The comet's orbit was altered such that the fragments are expected to hit Jupiter on 18-24 July 1994. Post-impact observations are expected to reveal much about Jupiter's atmosphere.