NASA probe to observe asteroid as wide as Empire State Building near-Earth encounter
Hindustan TimesAbout 5-1/2 years from now, astronomers predict, an asteroid about as wide as the Empire State Building is tall will streak through space within 20,000 miles of Earth, the closest any celestial object of that size will have come to our planet in modern history. ) The mission, directed by University of Arizona scientists, is expected to yield insights into planetary formation and knowledge that could inform efforts to build a defense system against possible doomsday asteroid collisions with Earth. At the time of its 2004 discovery, the asteroid Apophis, named for a demon serpent embodying evil and chaos in ancient Egyptian mythology, appeared to pose a dire impact threat to Earth, with scientists forecasting a potential collision in 2029. While not big enough to pose an existential threat to life on Earth, an Apophis-sized asteroid striking the planet at hypersonic speed still could devastate a major city or region, Nolan said, with ocean impact unleashing tsunamis.
History of this topic
Is Asteroid Apophis coming close to Earth in 2029? ISRO Chief says....
Live Mint
Isro's monitoring asteroid Apophis named after Egyptian God of Chaos with Netra
India Today
An asteroid will just miss us in 2029. Scientists are making the most of a rare opportunity
LA Times)
Asteroid Apophis the Size of Three Football Fields to Zoom Past Earth in 2029. Why it's Significant
News 18
Asteroid Apophis, equal to size of 3 football fields, may hit Earth in 2068
India TodayDiscover Related
