The Apophis asteroid could collide with the Earth on April 13, 2036, Russian astronomers say, according to Science.
"Apophis will approach Earth at a distance of 37,000–38,000 kilometers (22,990–23,612 miles) on April 13, 2029,” Professor Leonid Sokolov at St. Petersburg State University told Science. “Its likely collision with Earth may occur on April 13, 2036.”
However, Sokolov said that the possibility of an actual strike is highly unlikely, because the 900-foot-long chunk of space rock will probably break up into fragments before then, leading to smaller collisions with our planet over several years.
Sokolov and his colleagues are predicting the event based on the possibility that the asteroid’s trajectory could be altered if it passes through a small gravitational keyhole in 2029.
NASA has confirmed the scenario put forward by the Russian space agency, following the discovery of Apophis in 2004, when NASA originally considered it a substantial threat to Earth’s future.
But Yeomans said the probability of this happening is only 1-in-250,000. In April 2029, the asteroid will travel within five Earth radii of the planet, but there is only a "miniscule" chance it will pass through the keyhole, which is not much bigger than Apophis itself. If it does, however, it will be sent on a 2036 crash course for Earth
NASA estimates the energy from this particular asteroid to be roughly the same as if 65,000 nuclear bombs were dropped on us. What happens next depends on where it hits. It would certainly trash the immediate area, and it looks like estimates (from Wikipedia) tell us that an impact winter (a period of extended cold weather brought on by dust and particles shrouding the Earth and blocking the Sun) is unlikely.
For more Press news: Apophis Asteroid
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| An artist's conception of a giant asteroid hitting the early earth. (Courtesy of NASA) |
However, Sokolov said that the possibility of an actual strike is highly unlikely, because the 900-foot-long chunk of space rock will probably break up into fragments before then, leading to smaller collisions with our planet over several years.
Sokolov and his colleagues are predicting the event based on the possibility that the asteroid’s trajectory could be altered if it passes through a small gravitational keyhole in 2029.
NASA has confirmed the scenario put forward by the Russian space agency, following the discovery of Apophis in 2004, when NASA originally considered it a substantial threat to Earth’s future.
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| Apophis impact |
NASA estimates the energy from this particular asteroid to be roughly the same as if 65,000 nuclear bombs were dropped on us. What happens next depends on where it hits. It would certainly trash the immediate area, and it looks like estimates (from Wikipedia) tell us that an impact winter (a period of extended cold weather brought on by dust and particles shrouding the Earth and blocking the Sun) is unlikely.
For more Press news: Apophis Asteroid
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