IMPACT MARS!

"Unlike an Earth impact, we're not afraid, but we're excited." These were the words of another JPL scientist. I remember when SL9 hit Jupiter, a number of JPL scientists sat around a small monitor screen and toasted with champagne after the hit. I was impressed by their lack of reverence at the incredible catastrophe that occurred. We are now looking forward to another possible hit in our solar system. "Astronomers" report that on January 30th asteroid 2007 WD5 will have a good chance of hitting Mars somewhere along its equator. Of course their prediction started out at a 1 in 350 chance. It then went to 1 in 75 and is now better than 1 in 30. Actually, a pretty good chance. The JPL scientist above also stated in the same article that they expected that the odds would get less or worse after a month or so of observation. Well... I guess he was wrong. They report that its speed is 8 miles per second and that it's about 160 feet across in size. Some reports state that this is about the size of the object that hit Tunguska Russia and blew down about a 100 million trees over a 800 square mile area. That one is still open to debate as to the cause. Everybody has their speculations.

I have a few questions and a statement or two about this. First, where did it come from? You know we just had Comet Holmes pass through our part of the solar system. I think it's pretty funny that most scientist run tail between their legs when the idea of catastrophism comes up or any idea related to this issue. Regardless, I must ask (rhetorically), is this asteroid a product of Holmes? Is it a chunk blown off by obvious volcanic activity on Holmes? (I can hear the gasps from the scientists in the back row). However, Comet Holmes has been a very electrically active comet. It has affected our weather and geological activity here on Earth quite strongly. Trajectory and speed aside this asteroid could be a child of Comet Holmes. If from the body of the comet directly or from a possible collision, or from an EMF reaction, it is likely related to Holmes.

Let me add one interesting finding to this puzzle: The asteroid 2007 WD5 crossed over the same exact spot in the sky that Hyakutake and Hale Bopp did. That spot was the star Algol in the constellation Perseus. Hyakutake passed over the area on April 11, 1996 and Hale Bopp passed over it on April 11th, one year later. Perseus was the Greek god that slew Medusa and is carrying her head at his side. Algol is the eye of the Medusa head. Be careful looking at the eyes of the head, you'll turn to stone. At least that was the myth! Is there any significance to this passing? You tell me. Will this asteroid hit the god of war, Mars? Looks as though it very well might. Another coincidence is that the Comet Holmes' orbit is 6.9 years and Algol's period is 69 hours ("time and times and a half" from now until 2014). So are Hyakutake, Hale Bopp and Holmes all related? Are they the same, or from the same body? Sounds nuts huh? I'm not thinking that it's nuts so much anymore. Just look at how close to the ecliptic they all came in their angle of attack, etc.. when you start looking at the numbers, you start thinking all kinds of weird thoughts! Scientists... They look at a lot of numbers don't they?

An early spectroscopic study found no known elements. One later study only found Magnesium. Magnesium is the basis for Olivine. Halebopp was olivine rich. Olivine is only found on earth at the base of volcanoes. Another reason that this comet Holmes may be related to Hale Bopp including the volcanic activity that we have seen on Holmes. Are Holmes and Hale Bopp related???? Uh oh, getting too close to that catastrophe stuff again. I hear the moans from the back row again.

Just one more thought. Comet Boethin is now missing. Does this have anything to do with this issue? Just that Deep Impact must now find another target. But again, catastrophe is a way of life. Things change. Sometimes rapidly, and we just don't know everything, as the status quo scientists would like us to believe.