Last month, a bright flash appeared on the surface of Jupiter - the cause of which remained a mystery to scientists.
Now, researchers from the Florida Institute of Technology have revealed that the flash was caused by an asteroid crashing into the surface of the planet.
The flash of light was detected by astrophotographer, Ethan Chappel at 04:07 UTC on August 7, and lasted for around 1.5 seconds.
Since then, researchers have analysed data from the event, and now suggest that an asteroid may be to blame.
The data indicates that the asteroid was around 12-16 metres in diameter, with a mass of about 450 tons.
The team suggests that the asteroid disintegrated in the upper atmosphere, around 80 kilometres above Jupiter’s clouds, leading to a flash of light.
Ricardo Hueso, developer of the DeTeCt project, also made very similar estimates for the size and mass of the asteroid.
Speaking to EuroPlanet, he said: “With six impact flashes observed in ten years since the first flash was discovered in 2010, scientists are becoming more confident in their estimates of the impact rate of these objects in Jupiter.
“Most of these objects hit Jupiter without being spotted by observers on Earth. However, we now estimate 20-60 similar objects impact with Jupiter each year.
“Because of Jupiter's large size and gravitational field this impact rate is ten thousand times larger than the impact rate of similar objects on Earth.”
The researchers are now calling on amateur astronomers to keep an eye out on both Jupiter and Saturn, and report any other bright flashes they may spot in the future.
