Apophis will pass close to Earth at just 38,012 km or 23,619 miles
Asteroids ended the life of dinosaurs on Earth, triggering an extinction event that still haunts many people. There is a massive asteroid called 99942 Apophis, a near-Earth object (NEO) that could reach Earth in 2029. The asteroid is 1,100 feet, or 335 meters, NASA has confirmed.
The average distance between Earth and the Moon is 239,000 miles and NASA reports that asteroid 99942 Aposphis will be just 38,012 km or 23,619 miles from Earth on April 14, 2029. Therefore, it would be 10 times closer than the Moon and would be moving at a speed of 29.98 km per second.
Is this going to hit Earth?
Many reports have claimed that asteroid 99942 Apophis will hit Earth in 2029. This asteroid has been one of the most dangerous since its discovery in 2004. NASA recently denied these reports and clarified that a radar observation in March 2021 as well as an analysis of the orbit confirmed that Apophis 2029 will not hit Earth.
Davide Farnocchia of NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) mentioned in the blog post that “impact in 2068 is no longer a possibility, and our calculations show no risk of impact for at least the next 100 years.” He referred to the Sentry impact risk table maintained by CNEOS, which tracks asteroids that could impact Earth. Recent findings have revealed that there is no risk for Apophis, and it has been removed from the risk table.
Can we observe the passage of asteroid 99942 Apophis?
The asteroid will be very close to Earth and people will be able to see it from a safe distance. NASA said that Apophis will be much closer than geosynchronous satellites on April 13, 2029. It will be visible to observers in the Eastern Hemisphere and they will not need telescopes or binoculars. This is a rare opportunity for all astronomers to study this relic that has gone from being a potential threat to being a subject of scientific interest.
Discovery of asteroid 99942 Apophis
Astronomers Roy Tucker, David Tholen, and Fabrizio Bernardi discovered asteroid 99942 Apophis on June 19, 2004. They were only able to observe the asteroid for two days due to technical and weather problems. A team from the Siding Spring Observatory in Australia spotted the asteroid later that year.
Since its first observation, it has been followed by optical and radar telescopes as it orbits the Sun and scientists are confident and aware of its future trajectory.
NASA also redirected one of its spacecraft to study the asteroid after completing its mission. The spacecraft was set to collect samples from the asteroid Bennu in September 2023. OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security – Regolith Explorer) was renamed OSIRIS-APophis EXplorer (OSIRIS-APEX). It was sent to study Apophys during the asteroid’s flyby of Earth in 2029.
How did Apophis get his name?
Apophis is named after the demon serpent that personified evil and chaos in ancient Egyptian mythology.
India should observe this asteroid, says ISRO chief
Inaugurating a workshop on planetary defence for students at ISRO headquarters, the ISRO chief said, “India should be able to observe this asteroid… Discussions are on as to how ISRO can contribute, perhaps by preparing an instrument for the mission or providing other kinds of support to what is being done jointly by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), ESA (European Space Agency) and NASA.”
He also mentioned that an asteroid impact can be disastrous and it is necessary to prepare for planetary defense. If an object of 100 meters in diameter hits us, it can wipe out the entire nation. If an object of 2 km in diameter hits the Earth, the entire world could be destroyed.
First published: July 4, 2024 | 5:59 p.m. IST
