A potentially hazardous asteroid named Apophis will pass closer to Earth than many satellites on April 13, 2029, but NASA assures there is no risk of impact.
A large asteroid, roughly the size of the Eiffel Tower, is set to make an unusually close approach to Earth on April 13, 2029. NASA has confirmed that there is no risk of impact from the asteroid, known as Apophis.
Apophis is expected to pass approximately 20,000 miles from Earth’s surface, which is closer than many satellites currently in orbit. This asteroid is classified as “potentially hazardous” and is composed of leftover raw material that never coalesced into a planet or moon.
When Apophis was first discovered in 2004, scientists were concerned it might collide with Earth in 2029, 2036, or 2068. However, extensive observations using optical telescopes and ground-based radar have allowed astronomers to refine their understanding of its orbit. NASA now confidently states that there is no risk of Apophis impacting Earth for at least the next century.
Apophis was initially discovered on June 19, 2004, by astronomers Roy Tucker, David Tholen, and Fabrizio Bernardi at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona. Due to technical issues and weather conditions, they could only observe the asteroid for two days. Later, in December 2004, another team of astronomers in Australia managed to gather more data on Apophis.
As the date of the close approach draws near, observatories around the world, as well as those in space, will monitor Apophis to gain insights into its physical properties. In preparation for this event, NASA has redirected a spacecraft to rendezvous with Apophis shortly after its close approach to Earth. The spacecraft, originally known for its successful mission to collect a sample from asteroid Bennu, has been renamed OSIRIS-APophis EXplorer (OSIRIS-APEX) and is currently en route to its new target.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is also planning to send a spacecraft to study Apophis, further enhancing our understanding of this intriguing asteroid.
For those in the Eastern Hemisphere, Apophis is expected to be visible without the need for telescopes or binoculars, weather permitting. NASA emphasizes the significance of this event, noting that as Apophis passes by Earth, it will experience gravitational forces that will pull, twist, stretch, and squeeze it. This close encounter will alter Apophis’s orbit around the Sun, resulting in a slightly larger orbit and a longer orbital period.
According to NASA, the upcoming close approach of Apophis presents a unique opportunity for scientific observation and research, furthering our understanding of asteroids and their behavior in proximity to Earth.