Apophis, named after the Egyptian god of darkness and chaos, is expected to pass by Earth on April 13, 2029—closer than many satellites in orbit. Scientists from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory suggest that the asteroid could experience violent tremors—similar to earthquakes—due to Earth’s gravitational pull, shaking its surface and possibly reshaping it entirely. Could this be telling us something about how asteroids have evolved?
Apophis: The Asteroid Once Feared As A Planet Killer
Apophis was discovered in 2004, and it was initially calculated that it could hit the Earth terrifically. Scientists once ranked Apophis as the most dangerous asteroid on record due to the possibility that it could kill millions of people. This led to further observations, which ruled out a collision. Though we’re safe now, Apophis remains a stark reminder of the cosmic threats lurking in space.
How Close Will Apophis Get To Earth?
Apophis is set to pass within 32,000 kilometers (20,000 miles) of Earth, which is only a tenth of the distance between Earth and the Moon. This flyby will be visible to the naked eye in some areas, making it a once-in-a-lifetime event. Now, how will Earth’s gravitational pull affect this fast-moving space rock?
The Asteroid That Will ‘Shake’—What Are Astroquakes?
Scientists predict that asteroid Apophis will experience “astroquakes.” These astroquakes will cause landslides and perhaps small rocks to fly off of Apophis into outer space. The shaking that will occur in Apophis will give us an unprecedented look into what is underneath the surface of the asteroid. This, in turn, allows for a unique insight into the way in which Apophis changes spatially during planetary encounters.
Could Apophis’s Tremors Shake Loose Hidden Secrets?
Close encounters with the Apophis may offer discoveries about its internal structure. If the surface of this space rock were to shift, scientists could gain more knowledge about how these rocks are held together. Some asteroids may comprise loose rubble piles, while others are solid rocks. Knowing the internal structure of Apophis is helpful because it will give us a better idea of what asteroids are made up of, preparing us for future asteroid threats that the world may encounter.
What Happens When an Asteroid Gets Too Close?
When an asteroid flies close to a planet, it can be exposed to powerful gravitational fields. These gravitational fields can stretch, crack, or break the asteroid’s body. Apophis might survive the encounter with a planet, but the asteroid’s rotation process may change, and its surface texture may be permanently altered.
How Animals React to Earthly Disasters—Could They Sense an Astroquake?
Animals possess a remarkable ability to sense natural disasters. Some sense earthquakes before they happen, reacting to unseen vibrations. Can animals sense the changes caused by the astroquakes from Apophis? While the tremors caused by the asteroid will not directly affect Earth, scientists are still assessing how animals sense cosmic events and atmospheric changes caused by meteor sounds and changes in atmospheric pressure.
The OSIRIS-APEX Mission: A Front-Row Seat To Apophis’s Transformation
NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX mission will intercept Apophis after it has completed its orbit above the Earth, gathering data on how the asteroid is changing as it passes. This spacecraft will continually keep track of Apophis for 18 months as it moves above the Earth. Could Apophis change it near Earth?
Can Asteroids Change Over Time? Apophis May Hold The Answer
Most asteroids spend billions of years in deep space but once they get to be close to planets, surface conditions can change dramatically. Scientists have just recently speculated that Apophis’s shaking could change the surface appearance of the asteroid making it appear as though its surface was is less aged than it actually is.
What Apophis Could Teach Us About Planetary Defense
Studying Apophis may give us valuable insight into the future of asteroids with respect to impacting Earth. If in the event that a large asteroid were ever set on a collision course with the planet Earth then knowledge of how asteroid’s behave when subjected to gravity and impact forces could be extremely useful.
Have Asteroids Ever Wiped Out Life On Earth?
Apophis will not impact Earth but history shows that asteroids have the ability to deal out devastating damage. Impacts such as that of the dinosaur killing asteroid at 66 million years ago have been known to cause a mass extinction event. Smaller asteroids have also had an effect on the evolution of life on Earth. Scientists are continually compiling information on the world’s thousands of asteroid objects to ensure that one day, we do not encounter an unexpected blow in the future.
How Scientists Are Tracking ‘City-Killer’ Space Rocks
Apophis is classified as a “potentially hazardous asteroid” due to its size and orbit. Although it may never be of any threat, several other asteroids that appear to carry a risk pose a longer-term risk to Earth. Scientists utilize telescopes and radar to track objects that are in a near-Earth orbit and are able to determine the distance at which the object may impact and, therefore, provide information to prepare a response in the event of a potential impact.
Will We Ever Have To Stop An Asteroid From Hitting Earth?
The idea of an asteroid impact isn’t just a science fiction story. NASA has already confirmed that it will test asteroid deflection using the DART mission, which proved experimentally that we are able to change an asteroid’s path. If a future space rock threatens Earth, could we push it away—or will humanity someday face the ultimate cosmic challenge?
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