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Renowned comet hunter to speak at Ontario Science Centre

Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 was torn apart by Jupiter's massive gravity. The pieces collided with the planet, leaving dark scars in the planet's cloud tops.
Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 was torn apart by Jupiter's massive gravity. The pieces collided with the planet, leaving dark scars in the planet's cloud tops. Hubble Space Telescope Comet Team and NASA

World-renowned comet-hunter David Levy will be giving a rare talk at the Ontario Science Centre Wednesday night.

To date, Levy has discovered 22 comets — 9 of them using his own backyard telescopes.

One of the most famous comets that entered our solar system was co-discovered by Canadian-born Levy along with Americans Eugene and Carolyn Shoemaker: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9.

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Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 was discovered in 1993 by the three comet-hunters. From July 16-22, 1994, the comet  put on a spectacular show. It had been torn apart by Jupiter’s gravity, and its remaining 21 pieces collided with the massive planet. It was the first collision of two solar system bodies ever to be observed.

The free event, hosted by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, begins at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

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For more information, visit the Ontario Science Centre.

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