Very interesting article I came across today about Apophis. Apophis is an asteroid which measures about the size of two football fields. Why is Apophis important? Well, maybe because it can eventually kill us all in the year 2036, that's all.
According to NASA, when Apophis was first discovered there was a high alarm because of the high possibility of it colliding into Earth in the year 2029.
NASA is now saying that Apophis will definitely not strike Earth in the year 2029, but then why are the Russians claiming that there is a chance of it striking Earth in the year 2036?
Let me explain it so everyone can understand it (I don't understand why every article written on a scientific topic has to be so darn confusing). Okay, so Apophis will come the CLOSEST to Earth in 2029, but will not strike us. Now, the problem is when it comes that close there is a possibility (1 in 250,000 chance, very small but still could happen) the Asteroid could encounter or pass through a gravitational Key Hole. If Apophis does go through the Key Hole, then it would alter the asteroid's path, and yes it would strike Earth in 2036. Both NASA and Russian Scientists confirm this fact.
Now, what's even more interesting is that NASA is actually already preparing for that possible scenario. They are confident if Apophis were to alter its course and head towards Earth they could alter its course again to put Earth out of harms way. How?
In late 2012 and early 2013 Apophis will be already fairly close to Earth, so close that radar will be able to detect the object. If at that point NASA feels there is any indication that it could potentially hit Earth then a space craft would be ran into the asteroid (this was actually tested in 2005 with another asteroid). Doing this will result in the chances of a 2036 collision to disappear.
I guess only time will tell. I just hope that everything the government is telling us is true. If I only have a year or so left I would definitely want to know. Speaking of which, what would you do if you knew you had a year left? What would you spend that year of your life doing?
Chub Out!
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(image provided by www.csmonitor.com)
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