2007 WD5 watch out!

[Birchy]

Discovered in November 2007 an asteriod on a possible collision course with Mars, apparently a 1 in 75 chance of hitting the red planet. Which in asteriod terms is quite rare.

This could be a historical moment like the asteroids which pounded into Jupiter, Watch out 30th Jan 08. Some of you may already know but am just broadcasting to forum readers.

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by Birchy

Discovered in November 2007 an asteriod on a possible collision course with Mars, apparently a 1 in 75 chance of hitting the red planet. Which in asteriod terms is quite rare.

This could be a historical moment like the asteroids which pounded into Jupiter, Watch out 30th Jan 08. Some of you may already know but am just broadcasting to forum readers.

Thanks Birchy.
I had no knowledge of this. Until now. Very interesting stuff...

Watch for the stories in the press nearer the time:
"If Asteroid WD5 misses Mars - WE are next in line! Best buy some bottled water...!"
etc...

Will George Bush immediately declare WD5 to be a WMD (Weapon of Mass Destruction) and elevate Asterix to the top of his "Most wanted list"?!

I don't think I'm about to get over excited about a 75-1 shot though - I don't think I'll be rushing out to the bookies with a note. I hear the more likely scenario is that it'll pass about 30,000km over Mars, close, but not that close.

Personally - I'm much more interested in the asteroid WD40, which I hear is slip-sliding willynilly all around the galaxy. Now THAT one could end up anywhere...

Doug

[Birchy]

Weapon of Mass Destruction is right!!!! It's a hundred meters in diameter and could cause an explosion of upto 3 mega tonnes of TNT. If there is an impact it's been compared with the Siberia asteriond in 1908, which is quite serious.

It may well miss but unexpected things have happened before. I wonder if we could get some live shots of an impact by Rovers Opportunity/Spirit.

I don't know if it's visible in the night sky but apparently it's about halfway between Earth and Mars right now. It's travelling at 27,900 mph so probably nearer to Mars. Wooooooow

[NicksMum]

Just found this:

Possibility of asteroid hitting Mars upped to 1 out of 25
Contributed by William Atkins
Sunday, 30 December 2007

One week ago the chance of Mars getting smacked by 2007 WD5 asteroid was 1 out of 75. Based on historical data of the asteroid's path, that possibility of a collision has been raised to 1 out of 25, or four percent.

Scientists with the Near-Earth Object Program, located at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena, California), reported the new percentages on Friday, December 28, 2007, after refining their trajectory estimate for the asteroid.

Archival information on the asteroid was studied recently. Its orbit and flight path were re-calculated based on this information. Consequently, scientists have updated their predictions on the chance of a collision.

Mandy

[Birchy]

Hi Mandy - Is there a chance WD5 will be pulled in a bit further by Mar gravity?

Anth