Asteroid Apophis- Could it Impact Earth and Implications

The asteroid Apophis has been in the news for several years now, and the chance that it could impact Earth is unlikely. Apophis is an ancient asteroid that is around 1,500 feet long and it passes Earth in its orbit every 1.6 years and comes close to us approximately every 8-years.

Since Apophis is currently observable only in the daytime sky, it will be until 2027 until scientists can gauge the threat of Apophis. The asteroid is estimated to pass extremely close to Earth and it could trigger an asteroid quake. The close distance Apophis will come to Earth will likely disrupt its surface and cause it to lose mass as it passes Earth. Apophis could pass as close as 20,000 miles from the Earth in 2029 and if it were to strike Earth, the consequences could be catastrophic for millions.

Apophis will pass close to Earth, and there is the potential to study it's surface. Scientists are readying the Osiris- Apophis Explorer, a probe that will orbit the asteroid for 18-months and collect data once Apophis has passed Earth in 2029. We have successfully studied asteroids and this is an opportunity to learn more using the same platform which was fruitful. Only time will tell if this asteroid is a true threat to us. We will likely learn more about it's makeup and it will likely suffer damage when it passes close to Earth, as the chances of Apophis striking Earth are very small at around 3%.

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2024/11/06/will-apophis-hit-earth-in-2029-well-know-in-2027-scientist-says/

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