Friday, January 4, 2008

ODDS OF ASTEROID COLLISION JUST WENT FROM 1 in 75% to 1 in 25% !!!

Don't move, don't blink, don't do ANY thing to jinx this!  I'm holding my breath I can't believe, the odds of the collision on Mars just zoomed way past "maybe" to "get your scopes ready, NOW!"

Remember I posted a week ago about 2007 WD5, that returning asteroid which will come tantalizingly close to hitting Mars on January 30th?  It's gone from roughly a 1% chance (1 in 75%) to a whopping 4% (1 in 25%) in just 2 days.

Earlier today, dynamicists (people who can take statistics and form a dynamic of fact) at Jet Propulsion Labs announced that they've adjusted their predictions based on the asteroid's appearance in three images made on 11/8, which was 2 weeks before its actual discovery by a sky survey team in Arizona.  So are you just blown away yet?!?!?  I'm dangerously close to giddy!

Little replay of facts:  When this asteroid first appeared in 1979 it flew past Mars coming within 400,000 miles.  Now that it's returned, NASA had it coming within 55,000 miles of Mars.  NOW, it's adjusted proximity is within 15,000 miles and closing,now that's an IMPACT dear friends, that's a money shot!  Holy canoli I'm never going to get through this month without sedation!!!  Mars you best get ready for a slam-dunk hit.  BANG!  Ruddy red dust flying out into space for who knows HOW long, hitting who knows what.  Some will settle on Hubble too, it's close to that area.  Oh man.

I'm sorry this PC won't load Animated Flash or the graphic would be more exciting.  Click for better idea of what's going on.

This is so exciting, it really is.  Although JPL is still saying "if" it hits, they know (I know they know).  Asteroid 2007 WD5 will collide with Mars at a speed of 8.5 miles per second on January 30th, within a few minutes of 5:56 a.m. EST.  All the planet's "eyes on outer space" will be hushed and focused on that portion of our galaxy.  So will I.

This is the most up-to-date info, anything more that comes in as the days pass and predictions can be more refined, I'll be watching for.  Waiting.  Waiting.  Waiting and .... watching. 

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Basics courtesy of S&T, Gryphon, star charts, JPL, NASA 

 

 

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

cool
hugs
Sherry

Anonymous said...

This is exciting and you should set your alarm to call of of us so we are up and watching too!

Seriously... this is very exciting!

Anonymous said...

Definately something to make one ponder, a day to watch for and to mark.  -  BArbara

Anonymous said...

exciting!

Happy New Year...
Gem :-)

http://journals.aol.com/libragem007/collage/entries/2007/12/31/2007--a-year-in-review--/1769

Anonymous said...

thanks for updating! my son mentioned it to me yesterday!

~~Happy New Year~~

Sharon

http://journals.aol.com/buggieboo1/ImASurvivor/



Anonymous said...

Now I think that will be awesome to see! Keep us updated!! -Missy

Anonymous said...

WOW!!!!  This is so cool.... PLEASE keep us updated!!!  I'm copying your info to send it on to a few friends... is that ok??

Joann

Anonymous said...

Maybe I should'nt go to bed that night !!   Keep alert.  Sybil xx

http://journals.aol.co.uk/sybilsybil45villagelife

Anonymous said...

8.5 miles per second? Is that enough to make a big bang? I sure wish I had a telescope!!
Pam

Anonymous said...

Pity, 5.56 am EST is 10.56 am my time, so broad daylight. Will be keeping an eye on the news reports at the end of the month for sure, Cathy!

Anonymous said...

Why aren't we shooting rockets or missles or lasers or ray guns to stop this from happening?
Isn't this a harbinger of the Apocalypse?
Shouldn't we all be running in circles and maxing out our credit cards??
Help. I'm scared!

                        sunny

Anonymous said...

You see? I told you that If you got happy, then so would I! lol That's got me thinking now. As long as It doesn't interfere with my bus home... I will be okay! lol Keep updating please. Love Pam xx

Anonymous said...

I am going to be keeping updated on this, I would hate to see Mars hit.  Do keep us posted on what is going on!!
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Very cool!!!  I got a Nasa memo thingy on it too!  I can't wait!!!  It is going to be amazing!

be well,
Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/

Anonymous said...

LOL at Sunny's comment. Cool information,. I hadn't heard anything about it yet.
Hugs, Barb

Anonymous said...

    WOW! I'm almost ready to go out an buy a telescope. I mean I've always wanted one. This is something that will be worth my while to see.
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay

Anonymous said...

ME thinks you are excited ....lol.....

Patty