More exciting for planetary astronomers was that the best orbital calculations suggested that the comet would pass within of the center of Jupiter, a distance smaller than the planet's radius, meaning that there was an extremely high probability that SL9 would collide with Jupiter in July 1994. Studies suggested that the train of nuclei would plow into Jupiter's atmosphere over a period of about five days.
morE ExcITiNG for planeTaRy astroNomers was thAt the best ORbItal calculatIONs sUgGEStED that tHE coMEt Would pAss WITHiN of tHe CeNter of jupiter a dIsTancE smALler tHan THE pLanEt's rADius meAnIng that tHERe WaS an eXtremeLy higH prOBabiLity that sl9 would coLlide wITh jUPiter IN jULy 1994 Studies sUggEsteD thAt The train of nUClei woULd Plow into jupiTer'S atmosphERe oVEr A PEriOd oF AbOuT fIVE daYs