[ad_1]
Asteroid 99942 Apophis has been considered one of the most dangerous asteroids with potential to impact Earth since its discovery in 2004. Today, scientists have revised this opinion after careful analysis of the orbit of the asteroid.
Previous predictions have noted that the 1,110-foot-wide asteroid might be too close to be comfortable in 2029, 2036, and that it might have a slight chance of impacting Earth in 2068.
During this distant flyby, astronomers used radar observations to better manage the asteroid’s orbit around the sun. Their results allowed them to rule out any risk of the asteroid impacting Earth in 2068. Previous concerns about 2029 and 2036 had already been set aside due to improved predictions and research.
“A 2068 impact is no longer in the realm of possibilities, and our calculations show no risk of impact for at least the next 100 years,” said Davide Farnocchia, navigation engineer and researcher at the Center for Near-Earth Object NASA Studies (CNEOS), in a press release.
“With the support of recent optical observations and additional radar observations, the uncertainty in Apophis’ orbit has dropped from hundreds of kilometers to just a handful of kilometers when projected to 2029,” he said. declared Farnocchia. “This greatly improved knowledge of his position in 2029 gives more certainty about his future motion, so we can now remove Apophis from the risk list.”
The CNEOS Center maintains a list of hazards, tracking asteroids with orbits that bring them closer to Earth – close enough to raise concerns about a potential impact. Scientists at the center use radars and telescopes to study near-Earth objects and understand the dangers they can pose to the planet.
The CNEOS Center is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
In order to observe Apophis and remove him from the risk list, astronomers used the Deep Space Network’s Goldstone radio antenna near Barstow, California. This parable is one of three in the world that allow communications with spacecraft in deep space. Scientists also relied on a collaboration with the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia.
“Although Apophis recently made a close approach to Earth, it was still nearly 10.6 million kilometers away,” JPL scientist Marina Brozovic said in a statement. “Despite that, we were able to acquire incredibly precise information about its distance with an accuracy of around 150 meters (490 feet). This campaign not only helped us rule out any risk of impact, but it set us up for a tremendous scientific opportunity.
Although the images appear blurry, the resolution is quite strong considering the asteroid was about 17 million kilometers away, or 44 times the distance between Earth and the Moon, at the time.
“If we had binoculars as powerful as this radar, we could sit in Los Angeles and read a dinner menu at a restaurant in New York City,” Brozovic said.
The data from this observation will help scientists learn more about the shape and rotational speed of the asteroid. The current belief is that Apophis is shaped like a peanut.
Even though Apophis poses no risk for the next century, it will encounter the Earth’s gravitational field during its overflight on April 13, 2029 and pass within 20,000 miles of the Earth’s surface. It’s closer than the satellites orbiting the Earth and 10 times closer than the moon.
Apophis will be visible to the naked eye by people in the Eastern Hemisphere, no telescope or binoculars are needed. And astronomers will have the opportunity to study the asteroid up close.
“When I started working with asteroids after college, Apophis was the go-to kid for dangerous asteroids,” Farnocchia said. “There is a certain sense of satisfaction to see it taken off the risk list, and we look forward to the science we may uncover as it nears closure in 2029.”
[ad_2]
Source link