Comet to Hit Mars Next Year? Well... we don't know yet.

[N2NH]

And you thought the sky gods were out to get us? Martians too.


At the end of next year it could, if a comet headed its way makes contact. Comet C/2013 A1 will skim past Mars on Oct. 19, 2014, perhaps close enough to hit the planet, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2013A1;cad=1;orb=0;cov=0;log=0#phys_ par).
JPL predicts the most likely course for the comet will take it within 0.0007 astronomical units (AU) of Mars, approximately 63,000 miles from the surface. One AU is approximately 93 million miles.
But that figure is far from certain.
As Discovery News reported (http://news.discovery.com/space/astronomy/could-a-comet-hit-mars-in-2014-130225.htm), the comet has only been observed for 74 days so far, meaning there is little data with which to forecast its future path. It could end up much farther than 63,000 miles from Mars — or much, much closer.


Due to the limited data, the size of the comet is also uncertain, though comets do tend to be large enough make an impact a global event.
Discovery reported that Earth's rovers and satellites on or near Mars could get front row seats for the impact — if it occurs. For now though, they, and Mars, are safe.



The sky show goes on. I guess these things happen more frequently than we thought?

Could a comet clobber Mars next year? (http://news.msn.com/science-technology/could-a-comet-clobber-mars-next-year?ocid=ansnewsrel1)

[KG4CGC]

Remember when Jupiter saved our asses?

[N8YX]

If you want to see impacts, you shoulda been around during the Late Heavy Bombardment period.

[K7SGJ]

Going that fast, and passing that close, I'm sure it will shake the leaves on the tress as it goes by.

[N2NH]

Remember when Jupiter saved our asses?

Shoemaker-Levy. Suddenly people were listening to Shoemaker about comets, asteroids and meteorites. Then... they forgot.

Seems that we're getting a very strong reminder and it's a bit closer to home.

[X-Rated]

Remember when Jupiter saved our asses?

And yet many do not like the Ju's.

[NQ6U]

I was once hit by a Comet:

http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/1964_Mercury_Comet_Caliente_2dr_Hardtop_For_Sale_F ront_1.jpg

[X-Rated]

I've played a Coronet.

http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1960-1969/1965-Dodge-Coronet-440-white-fa-nf.jpg

[KG4CGC]

And yet many do not like the Ju's.

They're called ''Jovians.''

[K7SGJ]

I had a Blazer


8997

[n2ize]

More here.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2013/02/28/mars_impact_the_red_planet_may_get_hit_by_a_comet_ in_october_2014.html

[AC8KF WALT]

could this be a repeat fly by of the one that may have glanced it before?

[N8YX]

could this be a repeat fly by of the one that may have glanced it before?

Not sure which event you're thinking of but a quick search of Mars impactors reveals this:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090511-mars-asteroid.html

Note the dates: 4.1Ga. This coincides with the end of the Late Heavy Bombardment period.

Do you have a more recent asteroid or comet in mind?

ETA:

Welcome! Charles, give the man a drink. Since we're talking astrophysics, might I suggest Beeblebrox's favorite?

[n2ize]

could this be a repeat fly by of the one that may have glanced it before?

No because this comet is following a hyperbolic trajectory (orbit). Thus it is believed to have come from very far out in deep space. Once it wings our solar system it will probably never be seen again.

[WØTKX]

I fetched the bottle, the Bartender Must Pour carefully...

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vsW-QSBUKuw/TLRqG5l7hvI/AAAAAAAADgI/ISb7X_uDyvs/s1600/Pan_Galactic_Gargle_Blaster_by_TheGrimSpectre.jpg