End of the World: NASA’s Prediction About 2029
A large meteorite is heading towards Earth, and NASA has issued a warning that around 2029, a massive meteor called Apophis will come very close to our planet. There is a chance that this asteroid could hit Earth, causing a huge explosion. Although it’s not as big as the one that wiped out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, it is still large enough to destroy hundreds of kilometers around its impact site, potentially wiping out major cities like New York or Los Angeles. If it falls into the ocean, it could trigger a global earthquake affecting almost every city worldwide.
Understanding Apophis
Today, we will discuss the details of this asteroid: where it came from, how fast it’s moving, how big it is, and the chances of it hitting Earth. We will also look at the technology available to humans for destroying the asteroid in space if necessary. Apophis was discovered in 2004 and doesn’t come from the usual asteroid belts. Instead, it comes from the Oort Cloud, a distant part of our solar system, far beyond Pluto.
NASA’s Tracking and Calculations
When Apophis was first discovered, it was considered a hazard because there was a small chance it could hit Earth. However, new calculations show that while it will pass very close to Earth—close enough to be seen in daylight—the chance of it actually hitting Earth is very, very small.
Apophis is much bigger than the Empire State Building and a bit bigger than the Eiffel Tower. As it gets closer to the Sun, it speeds up because of the Sun’s gravity. Right now, it’s moving at about 30 kilometers per second, or 108,000 kilometers per hour.
Proximity and Observations
According to NASA, Apophis will pass within 30,000 miles of Earth—so close that it will be visible from special observatories. This closeness allows scientists to study the asteroid’s makeup and figure out ways to stop it if it ever threatens Earth in the future.
Deflection and Destruction Plans
NASA is working on space probes that can intercept and destroy dangerous asteroids. When a space rock enters the Earth’s atmosphere, it usually burns up. However, a very large asteroid could still cause damage even after partially burning up. The plan involves landing a spacecraft on the asteroid, drilling into its surface, and planting a bomb to break it into smaller pieces, so they burn up completely in the atmosphere and don’t pose any threat.
Economic Potential of Asteroids
Interestingly, some asteroids contain valuable materials like gold, copper, and other rare metals. Future missions might bring these asteroids closer to Earth for mining, turning potential threats into valuable resources.
In conclusion, while Apophis poses a minimal risk of collision, it gives scientists a great chance to study and develop new technology to protect our planet.
