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Imagine a colossal asteroid, bigger than the iconic Eiffel Tower, approaching dangerously close to Earth! This rare and impressive event is predicted.
According to a scientists, the phenomenon will take place in April 2029, when the asteroid 99942 Apophis will cross our space just 32 thousand km away. It will be possible to see this space giant from various parts of the world, including Europe, Africa and Asia. But are we safe?
What is the asteroid Apophis?
Apophis, named after an Egyptian god of chaos and destruction, has a diameter of 375 meters, surpassing the 324 meters of the Eiffel Tower.
According to European Space Agency (ESA), there is no risk of collision with Earth, at least for a while. This type of approach only happens once every 10 years, as scientists explain.
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Asteroids are remnants of the formation of the Solar System, which occurred approximately 4,6 billion years ago. They are small rocky bodies that orbit the Sun, not reaching the status of planets due to their small size.
According to experts, these space rocks vary enormously in size, from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers in diameter. Many asteroids have irregular shapes, full of craters and marks caused by collisions with other space objects over the millennia.
The last visits
In recent years, several giant asteroids have passed close to Earth, each with its own particularities and fascinating stories. Let's get to know some of them:
Asteroid 2001 FO32
In March 2021, this 900-meter asteroid passed about 2 million km from Earth, providing an excellent opportunity for astronomers to study its composition and trajectory.
- Asteroid 2021 PJ1
In August 2021, this relatively small asteroid, measuring around 20 meters, passed at a distance of just 1,7 million km, demonstrating how smaller objects can also approach our planet.
- Asteroid 2021 RS2
Another visitor from August 2021, 35 meters in diameter, crossed our space neighborhood from 2 million km away, being closely monitored by telescopes around the world.
- Asteroid 1994 PC1
Measuring 1 km in diameter, this asteroid passed approximately 1,2 million km from Earth in January 2022, attracting great attention due to its significant size.
- Asteroid 2023 BU
In February 2023, this 70-meter asteroid passed to a safe distance of 1,5 million km, offering yet another chance for detailed astronomical studies.
The Security of the Earth
Despite the frightening proximity of some of these objects, ESA and other space agencies continually monitor the orbit of asteroids to ensure the safety of the Earth. Advanced technology allows you to predict their trajectories with high precision, minimizing the risk of collisions.
Either way, the approach of the asteroid Apophis is a stunning reminder of the power and shape of our solar system. Events like this not only fuel the public's imagination, but also advance space science and technology as we seek to better understand the universe around us.
But, reader, we want to know your opinion: will one day an asteroid pose a real threat to Earth? How can science protect us from these space giants? Comment your opinions and theories in the comments below!
