Astronomers Monitor Asteroid To Pass Near Mars

Science Daily ^ | 12-21-2007 | NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

[UCANSEE2]

“So.....if this rock misses Mars, where is it off to next?”

(whistling past the graveyard)

[UCANSEE2]

Asteroid 2007 WD5 was first discovered on Nov. 20, 2007, by the NASA-funded Catalina Sky Survey and put on a “watch list” because its orbit passes near Earth.

Further observations from both the NASA-funded Spacewatch at Kitt Peak, Ariz., and the Magdalena Ridge Observatory in New Mexico gave scientists enough data to determine that the asteroid was not a danger to Earth, but could potentially impact Mars.

This makes it a member of an interesting class of small objects that are both near Earth objects and “Mars crossers.”

[Calvin Locke]

Or, there's a radio adaptation from 1950 - CBS's Escape, Earth Abides November 5 & 12, 1950. Two half hour shows.

A search may turn up mp3s for free download.

Personally, I thought it dragged, but to each his own.

[Balding_Eagle]

One good thing if it hits Mars: It will put the global warming hoax into perspective.

[montag813]

Keeping my fingers crossed for an impact just because it would be cool as hell.

We would learn a LOT for if ever we have such a visitor. Pity we can't use this one for target practice.

[EarlyBird]

I hope it slams into it and huge chunks come raining down on the earth, oh wait, no that’s bad, never mind ...

I recently saw a show on one of the science/learning/history channels where they were debating evidence that chunks of Mars did hit the earth in just this way in the past (landing in Antartica, I vaguely remember).

If I remember correctly, they were even debating if the martian rock had microscopic fossils in it.

I was only half listening and don't remember the details. Anyone else see this show? In retrospect, I guess I should've listened more closely...

[montag813]

Well, an impact should take care of that Martian global warming.

Shhhhh...you'll make Algore scream.

[blam]

"If I remember correctly, they were even debating if the martian rock had microscopic fossils in it. "

Lots and lots of heated arguments about that 'rock.'

Life on Mars: Possible Evidence in Meteorites

[neverdem]

thanks, bfl

[Robert A Cook PE]

Yes, many more have rebounded from Mars than I would have ever expected: Not thousands, but many hundred “foreign” rocks (meteorites) have been picked up off the Antarctic ice flats over the years.

Why Antarctica and nowhere else?

Obviously a random number lands regularly everywhere, but only in the Antartcic ice do the black meteor rocks stand out against the white ice. Everywhere else, they land among rocks and plants and dirt and you can’t see them. Central Greenland is flat enough, but the ice crevasses and irregular surface hides them too well. Also, more people are available down south - middle of Greenland has no support bases handy.

Seems like the Arctic tundra would be a fertile ground for alien rocks (before the snow melts each year), but I’ve never heard of people collecting from up there.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Keeping my fingers crossed for an impact just because it would be hot as hell.

Minor Martian global warming correction there. 8<)

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Blam! When you post topics like this, it just seems really appropriate for some reason... To all, also see the earlier thread, Scientists say asteroid may hit Mars in late January (1 in 75 chance on Jan. 30, 2008).

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[Mike Darancette]

Hot Fudge Sunday.

[EarlyBird]

Yes, that’s the rock they were talking about. Thanks for posting that.

[wolfcreek]

AVP

[RightWhale]

spaceflightnow.com

NASA delays Mars Scout mission from 2011 to 2013
NASA NEWS RELEASE
Posted: December 21, 2007

WASHINGTON - NASA announced today that the next mission in the Mars Scout program, originally planned for launch in 2011, is now targeted for launch in 2013. The schedule slip is because of an organizational conflict of interest that was discovered in one of the mission proposal team’s Phase A Concept Study. This was the shortest delay for the mission possible because opportunities to send spacecraft to Mars occur only once every 26 months.

NASA will fund current proposals to meet a new launch date in 2013. Revised proposals will be due in August 2008, and the evaluation and selection will take place in December 2008.
(much more . . . )

---

Can’t say what an organizational conflict of interest is.

[RightWhale]

If the asteroid hits, all the future Mars robots should be reconfigured to explore the new feature.

[LexBaird]

I would like to see a direct hit. That would be interesting.,p> It would even be more cool if Mars captured it into orbit and it became a moonlet. Yeah, probably too much velocity, but it would be cool.