According to NASA research scientists, an asteroid has a 1-in-75 chance of hitting the planet Mars on January 30, 2008.

Researchers with the NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Near-Earth Object Program, located in La Canada Flintridge, California, have reported to United Press International journalists that Asteroid 2007 WD5 has a likely chance of hitting Earth’s neighbor Mars.

In fact, U.S. astronomer Steve Chesley stated in the UPI article (December 21, 2007) that the 1-in-75 chance is “wildly unusual” because "We’re used to dealing with odds like one-in-a-million. with a one-in-a-hundred chance makes us sit up straight in our chairs." [UPI article “1-in-75 chance of asteroid hitting Mars"]

Asteroid 2007 WD5 is about 160 feet (50 meters) in diameter. If the asteroid does hit Mars it will most likely survive the crash through its atmosphere and leave a large crater on its surface. The crater could reach up to 0.5 mile (0.8 kilometer) across.

The asteroid was discovered just recently, in fact, late in November 2007. Astronomers have been tracking its path since then. It is currently located between the solar orbits of Earth and Mars. In November, the odds of it hitting Mars was at 1-in-350, but the odds increased late in December to 1-in-75 after new tracking data came in.

Better estimates will become available as we wait to see its fate on January 30, 2008. Data is unavailable until 2007 WD5 comes out from behind the Moon, which is expected in a couple of weeks.

If the asteroid does hit the surface of Mars it is now estimated that it would hit near the Martian equator. In fact, astronomers estimate it would hit near to the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity. The little rover, luckily, is outside of the asteroid’s “impact zone.”

Opportunity is currently located inside Victoria Crater on the surface of Mar, which is about 4 miles (7 kilometers) from where it originally landed.

NASA scientists are currently investigating the possibility of the Opportunity and Spirit rovers taking images of the asteroid. Three spacecraft are also orbiting about Mars. The three spacecraft are Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Global Surveyor, and Mars Odyssey.

Large telescopes on Earth could easily see the plume of dust that results if the asteroid impacts the Martian surface.

The asteroid is traveling at about 8 miles (13 kilometers) per second. At that time, it would leave a hole similar in size to Meteor Crater in Arizona, which is about 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) in diameter and about 570 feet (170 meters) deep.

So, what do you think? Will it hit or not?

If the asteroid does impact Mars, it would be a huge scientific addition to scientists studying meteors and their physical characteristics, along with how surfaces like Mars, the Moon, and the Earth were bomboarded with such celestial bodies early in their lives.

Astronomers have never directly observed an asteroid hitting a planet before. It is pretty exciting to the astronomy world.

News that she’s expecting her first child with boyfriend Cash Warren should warrant some sort of celebration, but instead Jessica Alba has remained mum about the entire situation.

The only statement the couple has released in regards to the news was this statement issued by Alba’s rep Brad Cafarelli:

Jessica Alba: Photo Credit: WENN

"I can confirm that Jessica and Cash are expecting a baby in late spring, early summer."

Hmm, no "Jessica and Cash are excited to announce they will be expecting…"  

Was the baby planned?

It’s difficult to imagine that Jess and Cash planned on having a baby - especially considering she was in talks with producers to make her Broadway debut next summer - about the same time she’s expected to deliver.   

Jessica Alba: Photo Credit: WENN

The photo of Alba (above), looking concerned and upset, was taken on September 26, 2007. It looks like she received some disturbing news.

If Jessica is receiving the news in these photos, it would mean that she was expecting to give birth in late May of 2008 - conveniently, the "late spring or early summer" that her rep released.

I think the look on her face speaks for itself.

Jessica Alba Pregnant With Cash Warren’s Child

Via

Actress Jessica Alba and boyfriend Cash Warren have made an important announcement as Jessical Alba is pregnancy with Cash Warren’s child.

Bonus packages of “Superbad” DVD movies carrying copies of a phony Hawaii driver’s license featured in the hit comedy have been pulled from all Wal-Mart stores in the islands, a recall that could spread nationally, officials said yesterday.

The move came after Mayor Mufi Hannemann on Wednesday called the promotional plastic card “inappropriate” advertising, fearing minors could use it to pass as adults or buy alcohol. The city notified local authorities and even the Department of Homeland Security about the cards.

In the movie, produced by Sony Pictures, actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse, who plays high school teenager Fogell, tries to buy more than $100 worth of liquor for a senior party using a fake Hawaii I.D.

“We’re very pleased that Wal-Mart has taken prompt, corrective measures to comply with the city’s request to protect the integrity of our driver’s license,” Hannemann said yesterday in a news release. “It was foolish of the movie studio to include this prop in the DVD, particularly because it could be used by unscrupulous people to deceive others who are unfamiliar with our driver’s license.”

It’s unclear if Wal-Mart’s sales ban, for now limited to its seven Hawaii stores, would affect mainland shops also offering the “Superbad” DVD package. Wal-Mart is the only retailer marketing the movies with the card, according to Sony Pictures, though countless copies of the special package are up for sale on eBay and other Internet Web sites.

Brian Halsey, market manager over operations for Wal-Mart in Hawaii, said company officials “were considering” expanding the recall to all stores, but he wasn’t aware of a decision yesterday.

Sony Pictures, declining to comment on how many special “Superbad” packages had been made, said yesterday there are no plans for additional production. In an e-mail, it said the card “has a shifting, dual photograph and other features to make clear it’s not a real I.D.”

“We regret that it has caused concerns in Hawaii or elsewhere,” the company said. “This was a one-time promotion and no further shipments are planned.”

Source

A major porn company is planning to release a sex tape starring fallen American Idol finalist Jessica Sierra.

Screen shots are already appearing on the net and show the sometime singer in various sexual poses in what looks like a seedy hotel room.

In one shot Jess poses in the bath clutching a cigarette. Classy!

Sources tell TMZ that the video - shot sometime this year - will be released before the end of the year. (more…)