Asteroid will ‘scrape’ Earth in 2029

The asteroid’s orbital trajectory 99942 Apophiswhile approaching the Earth in April 13, 2029, is being closely monitored. Although it does not represent a direct threat, this astronomical event arouses interest and even some fear.

The asteroid Apophis is about 340 meters in diameter. In such a way that it will be just 32 thousand km from the earth’s surface. Thus, it will generate a magnitude of +3, visible to the naked eye, in a Friday 13. Furthermore, its passage will be a unique astronomical spectacle, with a potential impact on more than 2 billion people in Western Europe and North Africa.

The space mission Osiris-REx of NASA was reconfigured to approach Apophis, renamed Osiris-APEX, with the aim of measuring the tidal forces of Earth’s gravity on the asteroid and obtaining unprecedented images of its surface. At the same time, ESA is considering launching the RAMSES mission to visit Apophis before, during and after the encounter with Earth.

These initiatives reflect the growing concern about planetary defense and the need for international cooperation to face the challenges of the future. Although Apophis does not pose an imminent threat, learning more about its nature and structure is crucial for science and science communication, preparing us for possible risks asteroidal in the future.