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This animation shows the distance between the asteroid Apophis and the Earth at the time of the closest approach to the asteroid. Blue dots are satellites that gravitate around the planet. The rose represents the international space station.
(NASA / JPL-Caltech)
- The asteroid will pass less than 30,000 km from the Earth on April 13, 2029.
- Nicknamed 99942 Apophis, it takes its name from an Egyptian god of chaos and destruction.
- NASA says that there is no chance for Apophis to hit the planet in 2029.
On April 13, 2029, according to NASA, an asteroid larger than an aircraft carrier will fly to Earth at an altitude of about 19,000 km (33,000 km).
It's closer than some of the satellites orbiting the planet.
But do not worry. According to NASA, the observations completely excluded the possibility that the asteroid, known as 99942 Apophis, will hit Earth in 2029.
This does not make researchers less interested. At a session of the 2019 Global Defense Conference In College Park, Maryland, scientists will discuss how to take advantage of the presence of the asteroid in the neighborhood.
"Apophis' close approach in 2029 will be an incredible opportunity for scienceMarina Brozović, a radar scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said in a press release.
(MORE: An asteroid will hit Earth again at some point and we must be ready, said a NASA administrator)
"We will observe the asteroid with optical and radar telescopes. With radar observations, we might be able to see surface detail just a few meters away, "said Brozović, who works on radar observation of NEO objects.
Apophis is estimated to be about 1,500 feet long and 550 feet wide. According to NASA, it is unusual for an asteroid of this size to pass so close to the Earth. Asteroids flying at this distance usually have a width of about 15 to 30 feet.
"Apophis represents about 2,000 potentially dangerous asteroids currently known," said Paul Chodas, director of JPL's Center for Near-Earth Objects (JPL) studies. "By observing Apophis during its 2029 flight, we will gain important scientific knowledge that could one day be used for planetary defense."
(WATCH: NASA will integrate a spaceship to an asteroid during a planetary defense test)
Apophis is named for an Egyptian serpent god it represents darkness, chaos and destruction. (Does any one think we should tackle that name again?) On Friday, April 13, 2029, the asteroid will be visible to the naked eye overhead. ;Australia. It will cross the Indian Ocean, and about 18 hours. EDT, it will stretch over the Atlantic Ocean and begin in the United States.
According to NASA, Apophis still has a small chance – less than 1 in 100,000 – of reaching Earth in several decades. Future observations of his position should rule out any possible impact, according to the space agency.
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