Apophis Asteroid Will No Longer Hit Earth Based on Updated Trajectory Course: Scientists Say

Apophis is a massive asteroid measuring about 1,100 feet or 340 meters in width. It was once thought to make a collision with Earth after it was discovered in 2004. Due to its size and estimated close proximity, once it approached our planet, the giant space rock gained notoriety as one of our Solar System's most hazardous asteroids. However, recent analyses suggest the asteroid's threat is overestimated.

Now, reports earlier this week show that the space object, officially known as Asteroid 99942 Apophis, will no longer hit Earth based on an updated trajectory course. Even if an asteroid strike does occur, scientists say Apophis is not large enough to cause a global extinction. Unlike the Chicxulub asteroid that wiped out almost all life on our planet 66 million years ago, the Apophis asteroid will fly by Earth safely in 2029.

Apophis No Longer a Threat

Asteroid 99942 Apophis is no longer a threat following a radar observation campaign in recent years along with orbital analysis. This impact assessment paved the way for astronomers to conclude that "there is no risk of Apophis impacting our planet for at least a century," according to The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This means that the object's projected close approach to Earth in 2029 and 2036 will not result in any collisions.

This conclusion about the asteroid Apophis is supported by a new study submitted in the Planetary Science Journal on March 1. However, the research paper says this projection could all change if Apophis collides with another asteroid, but asserts that such scenario is "unlikely." The very low probability of the space rock changing its course from a trajectory that makes Earth safe entails that a potential asteroid strike is already ruled out.

The March 2024 assessment shows that Apophis will encounter another asteroid called 4544 Xanthus in December 2026 since their minimum orbit intersection distance is less than 10,000 kilometers from each other. Still, the authors of the study ruled out the notion of a direct collision. Yet, they have identified other asteroid encounter that needs to be monitored in the coming years before Apophis will pass near Earth in April 2029.

Can an Asteroid Strike Earth Again?

Despite the advancement of our technology in the field of astronomy, scientists and experts in related fields have come to the conclusion; that at some point in the future, Earth will be struck again by a major asteroid. While it is common for meteors to fall from our sky, the event of a cataclysmic asteroid strike on Earth has not happened again since the time of the dinosaurs. This imminent threat has also posed questions and potential solutions.

Although a large asteroid may hit Earth in the future, the chances of this occurring are very small, according to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The most likely candidates for a collision with our planet are Near-Earth objects (NEOs), which are asteroids comets that orbit around our Sun.