Large Asteroid on a Collision Course for Mars

Scientists say there is a one in 75 chance that Mars will be hit by an asteroid called 2007 WD5 sometime next month.  Discovered in late November, the 160 foot wide asteroid is comparable to what is assumed to have been an asteroid that stuck central Siberia in the early 1900’s. 

While it is unclear how the impact will affect Mars, scientists do have predictions.  At the moment of impact the asteroid will strike the Red Planet around the equator at a speed of 8 miles per second.  At that speed, a hole the size of the meteor crater created in Arizona would be formed.  Still, the extent of the damage is unclear since the atmosphere on Mars is considerably thinner then that on Earth.  It is possible that the asteroid would hit the planet without breaking up at all prior to the impact.

Scientists are watching closely.  If the asteroid hits at the right spot the collision could be visible on Earth through telescopes.  An asteroid impact with another planet has still yet to be seen.