Asteroid 2007 wd5 update

Animation showing the possible paths of asteroid WD5. On January 30, , the asteroid may pass through any point seen in the dotted area. The latest trajectory plot of the asteroid was made possible by adding to previously obtained data some new data from a round of observations acquired by three observatories on the evenings of Jan. Based on this latest analysis, the odds for the asteroid impacting Mars on Jan. Hopkins, Ariz. Updated Jan 2, — With new observations taken Dec.

Updated Dec. EST 3 a. PST on Jan. The orange swath indicates the area it is expected to pass through. Mars may or may not be in the asteroid's path. There is a 1-in chance of WD5 hitting Mars; researchers can't be more confident than that because of uncertainties in the asteroid's orbit.

If this unlikely event were to occur, however, the strike would happen somewhere within a broad swath across the planet north of where the Opportunity rover is. Asteroid WD5 was first discovered on Nov. Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community space. Tariq is the Editor-in-Chief of Space. He covers human spaceflight, exploration and space science, as well as skywatching and entertainment.

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