Asteroid Apophis and the Moon. Artwork of the near-Earth asteroid Apophis passing the Moon as it approaches the Earth. When discovered, initial calcul
Asteroid Apophis and the Moon. Artwork of the near-Earth asteroid Apophis passing the Moon as it approaches the Earth. When discovered, initial calculations showed that there was a chance that the asteroid would strike Earth at its close approach on 13 April 2029. Subsequent studies have shown that it will miss Earth by around 36,000 kilometres, the distance at which geostationary satellites orbit. This approach may deflect it enough for it to collide with Earth on its 2036 approach. Apophis is 250 metres wide, too small to wipe out life on Earth, but it would devastate a wide area with an energy release 65,000 times that of the Hiroshima atom bomb.
Size: 4252px × 4214px
Photo credit: © DETLEV VAN RAVENSWAAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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