Comments:Astronomers say asteroid could hit Mars

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Wow, like, who cares?[edit]

Really, why do we care if an asteroid is going to hit Mars? The scientists said it's not going to hit the rover, and it's likely not even going to strike the planet at all. It's not like it's going to blow up the planet or anything. How does this affect the lives of people on Earth who read the news? If there is a reason why this is notable, I want to know. ~Planoneck~ 04:40, 24 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

For a start, it could provide data on such impacts in the event something similar happens to Earth - while there are plenty of differences to take into account, we really don't have much live data on planet-asteroid collisions, so anything we get it useful. Secondly, it always helps to remind people that these things do happen every so often - and next time, it could be Earth. There's no guarantee Bruce Willis will be available, so we need to realise that it's just a matter of luck as to whether we get hit or not - and in the bigger scale of things, a matter of time as to how long until we get hit. Confusing Manifestation (Say hi!|Stalk me!) 08:22, 24 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Also, there will be a nice show for the observatories, and in turn we will get to see it. Oddly enough, I've never seen an asteroid strike something in my lifetime, and I have access to equipment powerful and accurate enough that if we refine the trajectory properly, I may be lucky enough to sit and watch it should it happen. Also, I find it ironic that the next thing you edited was former 'American Idol' finalist Jessica Sierra pregnant - yet I haven't showed up on any of the comments pages on the Jessica Sierra string to ask 'who cares', I've just accepted that someone must. Blood Red Sandman (Talk) (Contribs) 13:02, 24 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]
"We estimate such impacts occur on Mars every thousand years or so," said Steve Chesley, a scientist at JPL. "If 2007 WD5 were to thump Mars on Jan. 30, we calculate it would hit at about 30,000 miles per hour and might create a crater more than half-a-mile wide." The Mars Rover Opportunity is exploring a crater approximately this size right now. --195.215.114.140 13:56, 27 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Let Mars alone[edit]

Mars may be a planet, but if it was intended for human life there, well i think we would have been there long ago. I believe that they are poking around up there too much and that this asteroid is a sign to let it be. I'm sure that the asteroid will probably have impact with the planet and then what? Are they going to try to redirect it and the outcome be even more disastrous? I think that they r trying to do the impossible, and that they are screwing around with things that they shouldn't be! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.239.15.90 (talk) 14:43, 30 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

No serious environmental effects, I assume. --195.215.114.140 14:00, 27 December 2007 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Zachary (talkcontribs) [reply]