Asteroid Apophis Set for Close Earth Flyby: What to Expect and Why It Matters
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/18th August 2024
Asteroids frequently make close approaches to Earth, and astronomers continuously monitor these near-Earth objects (NEOs) to ensure our planet’s safety. Among these cosmic travelers, Asteroid Apophis has garnered significant attention since its discovery two decades ago. Initially, its projected path raised concerns about a potential collision with Earth. However, further observations have alleviated these fears, though Apophis remains a focal point for ongoing research due to its intriguing characteristics.
Discovered in 2004, Apophis was quickly identified as a potentially hazardous asteroid. Early calculations suggested a slim chance of impact with Earth, sparking widespread concern within the scientific community and the public. Over time, as more data became available, the likelihood of an impact diminished. Nevertheless, Apophis is still closely monitored because of the unique insights it can offer into asteroid behavior and structure.
The asteroid is expected to make a notably close flyby of Earth on April 13, 2029. During this encounter, Apophis will pass within 20,000 miles of Earth’s surface, closer than some of our geostationary satellites. This proximity will provide a rare opportunity for astronomers to observe Apophis with the naked eye from parts of the Eastern Hemisphere, including Europe, Africa, and Western Asia. This close approach is significant as it will be the nearest encounter with an asteroid of this size that scientists have been able to predict in advance.
The 2029 flyby of Apophis holds particular importance for scientists. The asteroid’s close approach will allow researchers to study the effects of Earth’s gravity on it. This interaction could cause Apophis to experience slight shape changes and possibly trigger seismic activities on its surface, such as quakes or landslides. These observations could yield valuable information about the structural integrity of other asteroids that might pose future risks.
NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are already preparing for this significant event. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, which previously collected samples from the asteroid Bennu, has been repurposed for this task as OSIRIS-APEX (Apophis Explorer). Scheduled to arrive at Apophis in 2029, this spacecraft will spend 18 months studying the asteroid’s surface and composition. The mission will map Apophis, track its trajectory, and investigate its physical properties in detail. The spacecraft will also conduct experiments, such as firing thrusters to interact with the asteroid’s surface, providing further data on its structure and behavior.
Although the ominous date of April 13, 2029, might sound foreboding, scientists assure that Apophis will pass by Earth harmlessly. There is no current threat of impact, but the close flyby will be an invaluable opportunity for research. The data collected during this event could enhance our understanding of asteroids and improve our preparedness for potential future threats from space.
In summary, the upcoming close approach of Asteroid Apophis offers a unique chance to advance our knowledge of asteroid science. As scientists prepare for this event, the findings could significantly impact our understanding of these space objects and their potential implications for Earth.
