A second new eruption on Io.And they say lightning never strikes twice. While observing in Hawaii in early March, John R. Spencer and his colleagues found a freshly erupting e·rupt v. e·rupt·ed, e·rupt·ing, e·rupts v.intr. 1. To emerge violently from restraint or limits; explode: My neighbor erupted in anger over the noise. 2. volcano on Jupiter's moon Io (SN: 3/11/95, p.148). When Spencer returned to Lowell Observatory Lowell Observatory, astronomical observatory located in Flagstaff, Ariz.; it was founded in 1894 by Percival Lowell, the American astronomer who popularized the idea that Mars might support intelligent life. Its original telescope, still in operation, is a 24-in. in Flagstaff Flagstaff, city (1990 pop. 45,857), seat of Coconino co., N Ariz., near the San Francisco Peaks; inc. 1894. Lumbering, ranching, and a lively tourist trade thrive in the region, where many ruined pueblos, numerous state parks, several lakes, and large pine forests , Ariz., he continued to monitor Io. The hot spot faded, but to Spencer's surprise, a new eruption appeared. Unlike the first hot spot, this one sits on the face that Io always keeps turned toward Jupiter. Using a telescope at Lowell, Spencer observed the eruption from March 23 through April 8. On April 15, the hot spot was gone, he told Science News. Spencer says his two discoveries don't mean Io has become more active. Rather, astronomers are viewing Io more often in advance of the Galileo spacecraft's impending im·pend intr.v. im·pend·ed, im·pend·ing, im·pends 1. To be about to occur: Her retirement is impending. 2. visit. |
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