Apophis: The 'God of Chaos' Asteroid and Its Close Encounter with Earth in 2029

 

What is Apophis?

Apophis, designated 99942, is a near-Earth asteroid that orbits the Sun once every 324 days. Discovered in 2004, Apophis was initially thought to have a 2.7% chance of hitting Earth in 2029, fueling speculation and concern.

Further observations have ruled out the possibility of an imminent impact, but Apophis has remained an object of great interest for astronomers and science enthusiasts, especially for its apocalyptic nickname: the 'God of Chaos'. This asteroid continues to arouse curiosity, especially in relation to its close passage in 2029.

Meaning of the Name Apophis

The name Apophis comes from Egyptian mythology, where it represented an evil deity, a symbol of destruction and darkness. In Egyptian culture, Apophis was a giant serpent that sought to devour the Sun every night, only to be defeated by the god Ra at dawn.

This name was not chosen by chance. The idea of ​​an asteroid threatening the Earth has led many to compare Apophis to the mythological serpent, a symbol of chaos and ruin.

The Dimensions of Apophis

Apophis is a remarkable size: at about 450 meters long and 170 meters wide, it is comparable to a 100-story building. To put this into perspective, the asteroid that caused the Tunguska event in 1908, which flattened millions of trees in Siberia, was about four times smaller. In contrast, the Chicxulub asteroid, responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs, was about 27 times larger.

What Would Happen If Apophis Hits Earth?

Although an imminent impact has been ruled out, it is interesting to speculate on what might happen in the event of a collision. If Apophis were to hit Earth, the energy released would be equivalent to about 1,200 megatons of TNT, causing local devastation and possible tsunamis if the asteroid landed in an ocean. It would also kick up enough debris to affect global climate.

The Passage of Apophis in 2029

One of the most anticipated moments will be on April 13, 2029, when Apophis will pass just 31,600 kilometers from Earth, an extremely rare event for an asteroid of this size. It will also be closer than the geostationary satellites that orbit our planet.

Scientists will not miss this opportunity: the OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft will be tasked with studying Apophis up close during its flyby.

Will Apophis Hit Earth?

The latest radar observations confirm that Apophis will not hit Earth in 2029 or in its next planned passes in 2036 and 2068. Any risk of impact has been ruled out for at least the next 100 years, thanks to observations made in 2021.

Visibility of Apophis in the Sky

Astronomy enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to see Apophis in the sky on April 13, 2029. It will be visible to the naked eye from Europe, Africa, and western Asia, appearing as a bright, star-like object in the constellation Cancer.