Apophis asteroid (99942 Apophis) 2004 MN4-2013-2029-2036

                Apofis 99942 (2004 MN4), animation Credit: Astronomical Osservatory Sormano

Discovery and name: Apophis (99942 Apophis) was discovered on June 19, 2004, by Roy A. Tucker, David J. Tholen and Fabrizio Bernardi at National Observatory Kitt Peak.When was discovered, the object received the provisional designation as 2004 MN4, and received number 99942 on 24 June 2005 wich made ​​it eligible for a permanent name, and was named "Apophis", on July 19, 2005. Apophis (Greek name) is the enemy of Ra: Apep (Apophis). In Egyptian myth, Apophis was the ancient spirit of evil and destruction, a demon that was determined to throw the world into eternal darkness.

Diameter of Apophis: Based on the observed brightness, Apophis asteroid diameter was initially estimated at 450 meters. A new more refined estimate, based on spectroscopic observations at the Infrared Telescope Facility at NASA in 2005, is 350 meters. However, on the official site of the NASA Near Earth Object Fact Sheet, it is 620 m., more than all estimates.

The approach in 2013 with the asteroid: If the January 9, 2013, the next good opportunity, good data will be collected by radar, that should be able to predict the location of Apofis until 2070 or more. Then, Apophis will pass at 0.0966 AU (14,450,000 km, where 1 AU = 149.6 million km) from Earth in 2013, allowing astronomers to more accurately define future paths.

The approach in 2029 with the asteroid:
During the approach on friday, April 13, 2029, Apophis's brightness will peak at magnitude 3.4, with a maximum angular speed 42 ° per hour. Maximum apparent angular diameter will be ~ 2 arcsec, and this problem will not easely be solved with telescopes that are not equipped with adaptive optics. Distance from Earth in 2029 will be 0.00024 AU, where 1 AU = 149.6 million km.

        The approach of Apophis on April 13, 2029.White bar indicates the range of uncertainty of the asteroid to Earth.
Possible effects of an impact Apofis in 2036: NASA estimated the energy that Apophis would release if hit Earth, the equivalent of 510 megatons of TNT. Accurate efects, could vary depending on the composition of the asteroid, the location and angle of impact.

To graph the risk areas on the planet, if the asteroid will be the path for us in April 13, 2036. A narrow corridor, a few miles wide, called "path of risk" extends across southern Russia, North Pacific (relatively close to the coasts of California and Mexico), then above Nicaragua and Costa Rica, crossing northern Colombia and Venezuela , and ends in the Atlantic Ocean, just before reaching Africa.
Distance from the Earth that will have Apophis in 2036 it is not yet estimated. However, on 16 April 2008, NASA made ​​a press statement which reaffirmed that there is 1 on 45000 chance of an impact with Earth in 2036.

                         Path risk where 99942 Apophis would have an impact on Earth in 2036.

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Posted in: Astronomy news