In April 2029, a Massive Asteroid Will Just Miss Earth. Scientists Are Worried There Could Still Be Major Consequences
Apophis is going to get close.
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In April 2029, asteroid 99942 Apophis will make an extraordinarily close approach to Earth, passing within 32,000 kilometers of our planet. At approximately 370 meters in length, the massive space rock has been thoroughly analyzed by scientists who confirm it poses no direct collision risk to Earth’s surface. However, researchers have identified an unexpected concern: orbital debris created by human activity could potentially interfere with this rare astronomical event.
The close encounter presents a unique scientific opportunity. As Apophis passes near Earth, our planet’s gravitational pull will alter the asteroid’s rotation, potentially triggering surface changes that could reveal its internal composition. Two space missions—the European Space Agency’s RAMSES and NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX—are scheduled to observe these transformations in unprecedented detail. This observation would significantly advance humanity’s understanding of asteroid behavior and structure.
Researchers from Italy’s National Research Council discovered that human-made objects orbiting in the geosynchronous region could potentially collide with Apophis during its passage. While such an impact would be unlikely and wouldn’t significantly redirect the asteroid, it could complicate scientific analysis. An unexpected collision would make it difficult for researchers to determine which observed changes resulted from Earth’s gravity and which came from the debris impact. The study underscores how orbital pollution could jeopardize valuable scientific opportunities in the future.
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Originally reported by Sciencealert →
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