In a significant celestial event, astronomers are anticipating a close encounter with an asteroid roughly the size of the Empire State Building within the next 5-1/2 years. This space rock, named Apophis, is set to pass within 20,000 miles of Earth, marking the closest approach of an object of its size in modern history. A NASA spacecraft, OSIRIS-APEX, originally launched in 2016, is expected to play a crucial role in observing and analyzing this rare event.
Led by scientists from the University of Arizona, the mission aims to provide valuable insights into planetary formation and contribute to the development of a defense system against potential asteroid collisions with Earth.Initially identified in 2004, Apophis was initially deemed a threat with a potential collision in 2029. However, refined observations have ruled out any immediate impact risk, at least for the next century.
The upcoming 2029 approach will bring Apophis within a mere fraction of the moon’s distance from Earth, passing well within the orbits of some geosynchronous Earth satellites. OSIRIS-APEX, known for its previous mission where it collected a soil sample from a different asteroid, has been repurposed for the Apophis mission. Renamed from OSIRIS-REx, the spacecraft is set to rendezvous with Apophis to capture detailed images and data during its close flyby.
Apophis, with an oblong and somewhat peanut-shaped appearance, is a stony asteroid primarily composed of silicate materials, iron, and nickel. Measuring about 1,110 feet (340 meters) across, it will be visible to the naked eye for a few hours during its close approach on April 13, 2029. Although not expected to be a spectacular sight, it will appear as a point of reflected sunlight in the night sky over Africa and Europe.
Astronomers note that an asteroid of Apophis’s size passing so close to Earth occurs approximately once every 7,500 years, making this event the first such encounter predicted in advance. The spacecraft OSIRIS-APEX is scheduled to remain in close proximity to Apophis for 18 months, orbiting, maneuvering, and even hovering just above its surface to gather valuable information.
The mission holds significance not only for planetary science but also for planetary defense. Apophis, like other asteroids, provides a glimpse into the early solar system’s conditions, offering crucial information about the origin and development of rocky planets, including Earth. Understanding the composition, density, and orbital behavior of such celestial bodies is vital for developing effective asteroid-deflection strategies to mitigate potential impact threats.
While Apophis is not large enough to pose an existential threat to life on Earth, scientists emphasize that an impact could still be devastating, causing significant damage to a major city or region, especially if it strikes at hypersonic speed. The OSIRIS-APEX mission aims to enhance our understanding of these celestial objects and contribute to the ongoing efforts to safeguard our planet from potential asteroid impacts.
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