| | | ‘God of chaos’ asteroid predicted to tumble, shed rocks during Earth flyby
In a close encounter that may reshape its very structure, the asteroid Apophis is expected to experience dramatic surface changes when it passes near Earth on April 13, 2029.
The simulations reveal that these changes could destabilize the slopes of rocks on Apophis’s surface and may even trigger landslides over time.
Updated: Nov 04, 2024 07:28 AM EST
Apophis, a 1,100-foot-long (340 meters) asteroid named after the Egyptian god of chaos, was discovered in 2004. The peanut-shaped asteroid quickly garnered attention due to its size and its initially predicted close pass by Earth.
Early estimates suggested a higher chance of impact, but by 2021, astronomers had refined their calculations and determined that Apophis, though on a close path, would not collide with Earth. Instead, the asteroid is expected to pass within 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) of Earth, which is nearer than many of our satellites in orbit.
While this distance is considered safe for Earth, scientists are curious about how this near pass could impact Apophis itself...
Earth's gravity might shake up 'god of chaos' asteroid in 2029
| | Earth's gravity might shake up 'god of chaos' asteroid in 2029Srishti Gupta
According to new research, Apophis's brief interaction with Earth’s gravity could unleash tremors and landslides...
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