NASA has launched a mission to catch the menacing “God of Chaos” asteroid approaching Earth’s orbit in a bold attempt to prevent a potential disaster.
NASA launched the next-generation spacecraft to intercept and investigate the celestial intruder known as Apophis due to the imminent threat of a catastrophic collision.
The asteroid, named after the ancient Egyptian deity of chaos, is a serious threat to Earth and NASA is taking strategic steps to protect it from a potential cosmic disaster.
Jump to
- What has NASA found?
- When will it approach Earth?
- Where can you see the video?
- NASA Apophis Mission
What has NASA found?
Credit: Instagram
NASA recently began the mission to intercept the “God of Chaos”, a near-Earth asteroid.
Following the ship’s return from deep space, the US space agency deployed OSIRIS-APEX for this mission.
In 2029, the asteroid Apophis, also known as the God of Chaos, will pass by Earth’s orbit at a distance of just 20,000 miles.
Due to its proximity, Apophis could become visible in the northern hemisphere.
When will it approach Earth?
Credit: YouTube
With an asteroid width of 1,000 feet, Apophis is named after an ancient Egyptian deity.
It is scheduled to pass by Earth on April 13, 2029. It was initially found in 2004.
To observe any changes, OSIRIS will intercept any changes caused by the asteroid’s approach to Earth during that time.
Scientists estimate that such an asteroid orbits Earth once every 7,500 years.
When experts realized there would be no impact, they revised their previous estimate of a 3% chance of collision.
Apophis is expected to travel in the year 2036.
The asteroid’s orbit and day length will change due to its close collision with Earth.
On Apophis, it could also cause landslides and earthquakes.
Where can you see the video?
The title of the video posted to Youtube by JPLraw reads: “This animation shows the orbital path of asteroid 99942 Apophis as it passes safely by Earth on April 13, 2029. Earth’s gravity will slightly deflect the path as it measures 1,100 feet wide (“A 340-meter-wide near-Earth object is located 32,000 kilometers from our planet’s surface. Motion has accelerated 2,000 times.”
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
NASA Apophis Mission
Credit: YouTube
OSIRIS is being repurposed for a new mission after a seven-year deep space mission to collect samples from the asteroid Bennu in September.
Origins, spectral interpretation, resource identification and security: Apophis Explorer is the new nickname for the spacecraft, replacing OSIRIS-REx.
Scientists can examine what’s below when OSIRIS-APEX uses its engines to propel the spacecraft 16 feet above the asteroid’s surface and stir up rocks and dust.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn