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View Full Version : Asteroid may hit Mars


D3V
2007-12-21, 10:13 AM
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/12/21/mars.asteroid.ap/index.html

Story Highlights
Space rock has 1 in 75 chance of slamming into Mars on January 30

Asteroid, known as 2007 WD5, was discovered in late November

Astronomer: "Unlike an Earth impact, we're not afraid, but we're excited

http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2007/TECH/space/12/21/mars.asteroid.ap/art.mars.ap.jpg

If the asteroid does smash into Mars, it will probably hit near the equator close to where the rover Opportunity has been exploring the Martian plains since 2004. The robot is not in danger because it lies outside the impact zone. Speeding at 8 miles a second, a collision would carve a hole the size of the famed Meteor Crater in Arizona.

Nothing too spectacular, but news, none-the-less.