Apophis: Asteroid Set for Close Earth Encounter in 2029
The near-Earth asteroid Apophis is slated to pass alarmingly close to our planet on April 13, 2029. Initially, when it was first spotted in 2004, there were fears of a potential impact. However, updated calculations have confirmed that Apophis will not strike Earth but will instead make a close flyby, coming within just one Earth radius of our planet’s surface.
This asteroid, roughly 340 meters wide, will be visible to the naked eye from parts of the Eastern Hemisphere during its closest approach, providing a rare astronomical event. Apophis’s trajectory brings it closer to Earth than some geostationary satellites, making it a significant point of interest for scientists.
NASA plans to send the OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft to interact with Apophis post-flyby to study the effects of Earth’s gravity on its structure and orbit. Similarly, the European Space Agency’s Ramses mission aims to observe Apophis during this event, focusing on the asteroid’s behavior under gravitational stress.
Apophis is a near-Earth asteroid. Initial calculations suggesting an Earth impact in 2029. Now they say it will make a close pass, coming within one Earth radius from our planet. 😬 #DidYouKnow pic.twitter.com/pC4jEf7FNd
— Nature's Wildest (@natureswildest) September 1, 2024
If Apophis were to hit Earth, the consequences would be catastrophic. An asteroid of its size could release energy equivalent to several thousand nuclear bombs upon impact. The immediate effect would be the obliteration of everything within a significant radius of the impact site, potentially leveling cities or creating a massive crater. The aftermath would include tsunamis if it struck water, widespread fires, and an immense amount of dust thrown into the atmosphere, potentially leading to a “nuclear winter” effect, where sunlight is blocked, causing global temperature drops and severely impacting agriculture worldwide.
For many, the assurances from space agencies and governments are met with cautious skepticism. But hey, what can you do, right? Well, maybe keep a year’s worth of supplies along with alternative energy sources.
