Astronomers Monitor Asteroid to Pass Near Mars

[Sonia]

WASHINGTON - Astronomers funded by NASA are monitoring the trajectory of an asteroid estimated to be 164-feet wide that is expected to cross Mars' orbital path early next year. Observations provided by the astronomers and analyzed by NASA's Near-Earth Object Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., indicate the object may pass within 30,000 miles of Mars at about 6 a.m. EST on Jan. 30, 2008.

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2007/dec/H...s_Asteroid.html

[A.J]

Its a shame that there will be no direct impact, as I for one would've been fascinated to see the immediate and after effects of such an impact on a terrestrial planet, particulary the possibility of liquid water being released from the martian permafrost, as that would have no doubt answered the myriad of questions scientists have about the chemical makeup of the martian soil.