http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/12/21/mars.asteroid.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories#cnnSTCOther1
2007-12-21 11:40:42 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
No. It's Mars, not earth. Mars is large enough to absorb the impact. Scientist say the impact will be around 15 megatons, if it hits.
2007-12-21 21:46:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It definitely won't hit us directly. But remember ALH84001? That was the meteorite found in 1984 and is believed to have come from Mars. You might remember it as being a huge news story when in 1996 it was announced that it might contain traces of ancient martian life. Anyway, it is thought that a meteor impact with Mars launched into space and it eventually made it to Earth. So I suppose this asteroid could do the same. If it's big, then it might launch a pretty big rock into space, which could cause damage if it hits somewhere in a city here on Earth. The chances of it being big enough to cause a lot of damage is slim. It would probably only be as big as a basketball or something, which wouldn't do too much damage. Also note that scientists think it took ALH84001 about 15 million years to eventually hit Earth after it left Mars, so if the same happens with this new asteroid, I doubt it would effect anyone currently living or being conceived on Earth today.
2007-12-21 20:08:19 · answer #2 · answered by SVAL 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This particular impact (if it occurs) no. However--it does underscore the fact that one could hit Earth jsut as easily (easier, in fact--we're a bigger target).
New methods and technology used by astronomers in th elast 10 years or so have show there are many more objects of various sizes "out therre' than we used to know about. And remember a few years ago when 20 large pieces of a comet hit Jupiter?
The point isn't "h dear, the sky is falling." But an asteroid impact is a 100% preventabledisaster--and it is certain to happen, whether in 10 years or1000-if wedon'tact to preventit. Doing that, if and as necessary, though, requires a spacetravelcapability wedo not now have. NOr isany real effort being madeto developthatcapability--despite te many other benefits that will come with really good spacecraft of the kind we now know enough to develop.
2007-12-21 20:02:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Harm us? no.
Interest us? yes, of course.
Has it happened in the past? probably very often
(it has even happened on earth, as recently as a century ago).
Some have found meteorites that could be pieces of Mars: when an asteroid big enough hits Mars, it could eject some rocks into space, where they go in orbit around the sun and, eventually, can fall on Earth.
2007-12-21 19:58:43 · answer #4 · answered by Raymond 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but I worry about those poor robots Spirit and Opportunity, roving about the surface of Mars. (Too bad they're robots, and not people, otherwise, as the asteroid barrels down onto the surface of Mars, one of them would probably say "Uh Oh---Oh SH*T")!
2007-12-21 21:49:44 · answer #5 · answered by David H. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doesn't sound like any chance......be pretty neat if it does hit Mars though, be a little excitement.
2007-12-21 19:46:49 · answer #6 · answered by Bonnie C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if you live on Mars.
2007-12-21 20:15:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It don't seem like it. But there is nothing we can do about it anyway, is there?
2007-12-21 19:54:58 · answer #8 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
...it says mars...not earth...
how could it harm us in any way whatsoever?
2007-12-21 19:44:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋