Final answer:
Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9's collision with Jupiter in July 1994 was a significant astronomical event, releasing vast energy and leaving observable marks on the planet.
Step-by-step explanation:
The collision of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with Jupiter was a monumental event in astronomy that occurred in July 1994. This comet, which broke into approximately 20 pieces, was first discovered in July 1992 when it passed close to Jupiter and was captured into an elongated orbit around the planet. The remarkable event of its crash resulted in the release of tremendous energy, equivalent to millions of megatons of TNT. The impact was so powerful that it left dark clouds of debris in Jupiter's stratosphere, creating long-lived 'bruises' larger than Earth, observable through small telescopes. This astronomy spectacle was followed by millions worldwide via television and online platforms. Understanding the Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 collision helps us realize the potential catastrophic effects such an impact could have on Earth.