Asteroid 30x Powerful Than Mankind's Largest Nuclear Bomb To Zoom Past Earth
Apophis was first spotted by NASA scientists in 2004, who described it as one of the "most hazardous asteroids" that could really put Earth in danger
An asteroid with more force than the largest nuclear bomb on Earth is going to be very close to our planet at the end of this decade. Scientists in Russia recently concluded that the asteroid named after a Greek god Apophis (the embodiment of chaos) will fly past Earth in April 2029.
Unistellar
Earth's closest known encounter with an asteroid
According to the estimates, the rock of chaos called Apophis will be 39,000 kilometres away from Earth's surface (about 24,000 miles). How close is this? Current satellites that beam channels onto our televisions are situated at the same distance, news agency Sputnik reported.
NASA had also predicted the same not too long ago. Earlier, it was believed that Apophis was slated to smash into Earth in 2068, but that turned out to be an incorrect estimate.
Apophis was first spotted by NASA scientists in 2004, who described it as one of the "most hazardous asteroids" that could really put Earth in danger. The asteroid has a diameter of about 340 metres (1,115 feet) and more about its path will unfold as it comes closer to Earth. What's clear is that Apophis is not expected to collide with Earth, but will instead pass by safely (albeit extremely close).
Also read: No Sunlight: How Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid Wiped Off 75% Of All Life On Earth
It appears that the Greek god of chaos is in no mood to cause Earth more harm than it is currently enduring at the hands of human beings with climate change, political strife, and a pandemic.
Unsplash/Representational Image
The event will be remarkable because it will mark the first time an asteroid of such size will come so close to Earth. Even then, satellites and space stations appear to be safe from impact, according to South China Morning Post.
The space rock was taken off NASA's risk list in March and the agency is now calling it an opportunity to study a "solar system relic" for it'll be extremely close to Earth in 2029.
Also read: How NASA's Asteroid-Deflecting DART Mission Could Save Life On Earth One Day
In case the asteroid did hit Earth, it would release energy equal to 1,717 megatons, Russian ministry's researchers believe. This would make it 30 times more powerful than the Soviet Tsar Bomba that was tested in 1961 and remains the largest bomb detonated.
Uncredited
What do you think about Apophis' close brush with Earth in 2029? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.
References
Chik, H. (2022, January 5). Asteroid with more force than biggest nuclear bomb to come close to Earth in 2029. South China Morning Post.
Sputnik 妊把忌我?忘. (2022, January 2). 妍忌?忘志?快扶抉 抗忘忱 ?快 扼快 ?快忱忘扶 抉忱 扶忘?抉扭忘扼扶我?我抒 忘扼找快把抉我忱忘 扭把我忌抖我忪我找我 戒快技?我.
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