Apophis, an asteroid 10 times faster than bullets, approaches Earth

Arab Weather - Today, November 13, the US space agency NASA is preparing to monitor and follow the approach of the giant asteroid "Apophis 99942", which will pass near planet Earth.

According to the Business Standard website, NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies will monitor and track the asteroid's path to ensure there is no risk of it colliding with Earth, which will ensure the safety of our planet for at least two hundred years.

Apophis's Massive Size and Potential Catastrophic Impacts

The asteroid Apophis is huge, measuring about 450 meters long and 170 meters wide, making it nearly the size of the famous Empire State Building in New York. This enormous size worries scientists around the world, because an asteroid of this size approaching Earth carries the potential to cause catastrophic destruction if a collision occurs.

• Safe distance but very close

Although scientists have confirmed that Apophis will pass at a safe distance of about 19,000 miles (31,000 kilometers) from Earth, this distance is considered extremely close by space standards, making the asteroid a major focus of interest to astronomers and asteroid researchers. Despite the safety assurances, this relatively close distance makes scientists cautious and interested in monitoring this asteroid's passage.

What is the asteroid "Apophis"?

Apophis is a near-Earth object (NEO) asteroid, and is considered a “potentially hazardous celestial body” due to its proximity to Earth and its close orbit. The asteroid is named after the “god of chaos” in ancient Egyptian belief, which adds an aura of awe and excitement to the asteroid. Its size and characteristics attract the attention of scientists, especially when it comes very close to Earth.

Asteroid visible to the naked eye in 2029

In April 2029, the asteroid Apophis will make its closest approach ever, entering the geostationary orbit of the Earth, so close that it will be visible to the naked eye from Earth’s surface, attracting great interest from astronomers and the public alike. This unique event will give scientists an unprecedented opportunity to study this celestial body up close and gain a deeper understanding of its properties.

• Why is Apophis a dangerous asteroid?

Apophis poses a potential threat to Earth because if it were to collide, it would have the potential to release energy equivalent to hundreds of nuclear explosions, which would have catastrophic effects on life on Earth. An asteroid of this size could produce powerful shock waves that could wipe out vast swaths of forest, flatten entire cities, and trigger massive tsunamis if it were to fall into the ocean. These possibilities make Apophis an important topic for asteroid research and strategies to protect Earth from space collisions.
Due to its massive size, Apophis is one of the most threatening asteroids to life on Earth, especially if it comes too close to the planet's orbit or collides. It could have a major impact on Earth's surface and nature, potentially reshaping life as we know it.

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