The infamous Apocalypse space rock or its near-dangerous state – after recent observations of asteroids close to Earth – has been divided for at least the next 100 years.
Astronomers have been keeping an eye on Apophys since its discovery in 2004, after initial estimates based on more early orbits suggested that it would be uncomfortably close to our planet in 2029. This concern is compounded by the huge size of the Apophis, as it is 1,100 feet long (around 340 meters – 10 times larger than the budget). Created a meteor crater In Arizona.
After correcting the initial observations, the astronomers discovered that there is no risk of any impact in 2029. Now, after the Apophis passed safely through Earth earlier this month, there is better news: in 2068 the planet Earth will not come to Earth. The space stone has also been removed from the list of hazards known as Sentry effect risk table, that is Maintained by NASA’s Center-Near-Ob Object Studies (CNEOS), operated by the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Related: The giant asteroid Apophis was revealed in the photos
The Sentry Impact Risk Table is a set of asteroids grazing asteroids near Earth showing that the future effect cannot be ruled out. This “risk list” tracks asteroids that are predicted to reach closer to Earth where impact is likely to occur, although fortunately, there are no imminent threats to our planet.
“When I started working with asteroids after college, Apophis was a poster child for dangerous asteroids,” said David Farnochia, an asteroid orbital analyst at CNEOS. Said in a statement.
“There is a definite sense of satisfaction to see that it is removed from the risk list, and we are looking forward to the science that we will be able to find in the meantime. [next] A closer approach in 2029, “added Farnochia. In 2029, Apophis will zoom through the Earth at a distance of about 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) from the surface of our planet, which is slightly closer to the orbiting satellites.
This new information is obtained from the observations of Apophis Earth’s flyby on March 5With 1 AU representing the distance between the Earth and the Sun (million million miles or 1 million million kilometers), when the rock rotated within 0.11 astronomical units. With these flyby observations, astronomers further improved our understanding of the path of the apophyses around the sun using radar.
The radar telescope at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico unfortunately retired after collapsing a few months ago in 2020, but observations were still possible with features such as the Deep Space Network’s Goldstone complex in California and the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia. Various telescopes have shown good news for a planet that is considered a threat to half a generation.
“The impact of 2068 is no longer in the realm of possibility, and our calculations will show no impact risk for at least the next 100 years,” Farnochia said. This allowed the group to remove Apophis from the risk list
Goldstone and Greenbank worked together to obtain an imaging of the apophysis by transmitting the Goldstone A Green Dar signal and receiving a reflection to the Greenbank. The resulting radar image was pixelated, but still showed a resolution of about 38.75 meters (127 feet) per pixel.
“If we had binoculars as powerful as this radar, we would be able to sit in Los Angeles and read the dinner menu at a New York restaurant,” said Marina Brozovich, a JPL scientist who led the radar campaign in the same statement.
This new image will enhance our understanding of asteroids. Also, using these observations, teams studying the planet hope to find its shape; Earlier observations suggested that the apophyses may be peanut-shaped.
They also want to know about the asteroid’s rotation rate and its axis spin, which will help predict how the planet will interact with Earth when it flies in 2029. An ephemeral proximity to our planet could alter the planet’s spin position or cause an “asteroid.” Earthquake “on the surface of the stone, the team said.
CNEOS information is provided to NASA Planetary Defense Coordination Office, Which works with telescopes and institutional partners in the United States and around the world to get the latest information on threats that could even threaten smaller organizations on Earth.
Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @Howelspace. Follow us On Twitter @speed.com And on Facebook.
