Asteroid Apophis to soar close: Uncovering cosmic threats
Although comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is still visible in our sky, astronomers are already preparing for another extraordinary cosmic event. On 13th April 2029, the asteroid Apophis will pass very close to Earth and will be visible to the naked eye.
Asteroid Apophis, named after the demon of darkness and chaos from Egyptian mythology, has generated significant interest since its discovery. As "Gazeta Wyborcza" highlights, the object was discovered in 2004, and initial calculations suggested it was on a collision course with Earth. It was initially rated a 4 on the 11-point Torino scale, the highest level reached so far.
It soon became clear that the trajectory would not lead to a collision with Earth, although the object, measuring approximately 326 metres in length, still causes a stir. According to "Wyborcza", Apophis will pass Earth at only about 32,000 kilometres. Scientists at the European Space Agency (ESA) note that during the flyby, the object will "experience significant tidal forces exerted by Earth’s gravity".
Scientists aim to make the most of such a close flyby and gather as much information as possible, which could be invaluable if any object is on a collision course with Earth in the future. The information obtained in this manner could prove to be our last resort.
ESA has committed $67 million (approximately £55 million) to the company OHB Italia, which is tasked with preparing the mission objectives for the Ramses space mission. "Gazeta Wyborcza" emphasises that the space probe bound for Apophis must be launched in 2028 to reach the asteroid in time and accompany it during its flyby.
Ramses in preparation, Hera in action
In early October of this year, a Falcon 9 rocket launched an extraordinary probe into space. This is part of the Hera mission organised by ESA. The probe's purpose is to examine the effects of the first planetary defence test for Earth.
This test began in September 2022, when the DART probe collided with the asteroid Dimorphos, a 160-metre satellite of the asteroid Didymos. NASA scientists wanted to understand how the impact could alter the course of a celestial object. DART changed the object's trajectory, though precise data is yet to be determined. This is expected to change with the Hera probe and the cubic nanosatellites Milani and Juventas sent alongside it.
