In 2029, an asteroid named Apophis, once considered a potential threat to Earth, is set to make an extremely close pass by our planet, providing a unique opportunity for scientific study. Discovered in 2004, Apophis measures between 335-375m and was initially thought to have a 2.7% chance of impacting Earth in 2029, 2036, or 2068.
However, further observations of Apophis’ orbit have revealed that there is no risk of impact in the next century. Despite this, Apophis will come closer to Earth than any other recorded Near Earth Asteroid, passing within 32,000km of the planet’s surface in April 2029.
During this close encounter, Earth’s gravity will influence Apophis, causing a significant alteration in its orbit. Following the event, the asteroid will transition to a longer 1.2 Earth-year orbit around the Sun.
While the asteroid poses no immediate threat, its proximity offers a valuable opportunity for scientific investigation. Organizations like NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are planning missions to study Apophis up close.
NASA will repurpose the OSIRIS-Rex mission, renaming it OSIRIS-APEX, to rendezvous with Apophis post-close pass and analyze the surface changes induced by Earth’s gravitational pull. ESA, on the other hand, will deploy the Satis mission, launching a cubesat around Apophis for further study.
These missions aim to enhance our understanding of asteroids and their behavior, contributing valuable insights to planetary defense strategies and space exploration endeavors. The upcoming close encounter with Apophis presents a rare opportunity to delve deeper into the mysteries of our cosmic neighborhood.
