Mars Asteroid
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Posted: 11:29 PM Dec 20, 2007
Mars Asteroid
Astronomers say an asteroid could collide with the Red Planet in late January.
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LOS ANGELES (AP) _ If there is life on Mars, it may want to duck
on January 30th. That's when scientists say the Red Planet could be
in for an asteroid hit.
Scientists say the space rock is hurtling toward Mars at 8 miles
a second and there's a 1 in 75 chance it will collide with the
planet. A NASA scientist says it's an unusual statistic because he
usually deals with astronomical odds when it comes to a direct hit.
The asteroid, known as 2007 WD5, is about the same size as an
object that put a dent in Siberia back in 1908. The impact
unleashed the energy equivalent of a 15-megaton nuclear bomb and
wiped out 60 million trees.
If the asteroid does smash into Mars, it will probably hit near
the equator close to where the rover Opportunity has been rolling
around since 2004. As luck would have it, the robot is not in the
impact zone and can continue its exploration.
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