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Sure, but comet can strike Mars just as easily as it can strike Earth. Maybe even more easily - gravity, lack of atmosphere, etc.
by carterehsmith 10y ago
Sure, but comet can strike Mars just as easily as it can strike Earth. Maybe even more easily - gravity, lack of atmosphere, etc.
- DougWebb 10y agoThat's an interesting idea... I think the thin atmosphere and lack of ocean might actually make comet strikes on Mars less devastating than on Earth. Less frictional heating during the impact, no global tsunamis caused by an ocean strike, much less wind and shockwave around the impact site, faster settling of post-impact dust and debris. You wouldn't want to be near the impact site on either planet, but if you're far away on Mars you might barely notice it, while on Earth you could be on the opposite side of the planet and still be killed by a tsunami or shrouded in darkness until all the plants around you are dead.
- logfromblammo 10y agoThe relevant issue is whether two comets could strike both Earth and Mars within the interval required for either one to recolonize the other.