Astonishing first-ever images

A resurfaced video showing a comet impact on Jupiter has gone viral, leaving viewers both amazed and uneasy. The footage captures the real-life collision of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with the gas giant in 1994—an event studied globally by astronomers. The comet broke into 21 fragments, each up to 2km wide, and slammed into Jupiter at 60 km/s between July 16 and 22. The impacts generated force equivalent to 300 million atomic bombs, with plumes reaching up to 3,000km high. While Jupiter’s massive size dwarfed the comet, people on social media were quick to appreciate how lucky Earth is to be shielded by such planetary giants.

Online reactions ranged from awe to existential dread. Many users on Reddit reflected on the fragility of life and how a similar impact on Earth would be catastrophic. One person noted how quickly all human history could vanish without a trace, while others feared the eventual end of our planet and even the universe itself. Though some found beauty in the fleeting nature of existence, many were left unsettled, highlighting how cosmic events remind us of our small place in the universe. As one commenter bluntly put it: “Life is terrifying.”