Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 was discovered by a team consisting of Carolyn Shoemaker, Eugene Shoemaker, and David Levy at the Palomar Observatory located in California. The discovery took place while the team was examining the night sky for potential new comets. Upon reviewing photographic plates, the team identified a unique comet that exhibited a series of fragmented components resembling pearls on a string. This finding was particularly intriguing as it suggested the comet had previously passed close to Jupiter, which likely influenced its structure.

Further observations revealed that the comet was indeed broken into distinct fragments due to the intense gravitational forces exerted by Jupiter during its close approaches. These fragments would eventually collide with Jupiter in July 1994, creating a significant astronomical spectacle and providing unprecedented data for researchers. The impacts were observed and studied using various telescopes, allowing scientists to analyze the resulting explosions and their effects on Jupiter's atmosphere.

This event sparked considerable interest within the scientific community and among the public, as it provided a real-time opportunity to witness an astronomical impact, leading to deeper insights into the behavior of comets and the effects of such collisions on planetary bodies. The study of Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 also underscored the importance of monitoring near-Earth objects and understanding their potential threats to planets, especially Earth.