What's happening?
Scientists at the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Hawaii have noticed changes in motion
A team of scientists recorded a deviation of Apophis from its original orbit by 170 m per year.
What is this asteroid?
In 2004, the asteroid Apophis was discovered.
After an asteroid passed Earth in 2013NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory said that the possibility of a collision with the Earth in 2029 is excluded, and in 2036 it is extremely unlikely
Asteroid 99942 was so named, inhonor of the Egyptian god of the underworld. Some scientists are convinced that it will absolutely not collide with the Earth. According to some calculations, the asteroid will fly several thousand kilometers from our planet, but nevertheless it will be the closest encounter with such a large asteroid.
The asteroid is able to change its trajectory thanks to an effect discovered by Russian engineer Ivan Yarkovsky.The effect is created by the Sun.In the event that the asteroid rotates, falling under the rays, its surface heats up, disappearing and cools down.At the same time, it emits photons — the hot side is larger than the cold side.As a result, there is a small but constant reactive force.It is capable of "moving" an asteroid.
The next approach of the asteroid to Earth may occur as early as April 13, 2029.The celestial body will travel at a distance of only 38,000 km, which is 10 times closer than the distance to the Moon.
What is the essence of the threat from the asteroid?
According to the proposals of scientists, to clarifythe trajectory, composition and mass of the asteroid, it is necessary to send an automatic interplanetary station (AMS) to it, which will carry out the necessary research and install a radio beacon on it for precision measurement of changes in its coordinates over time, which will make it possible to more accurately calculate the orbital elements, gravitational perturbations of the orbit from other planets , and, thus, it is better to predict the probability of collision with the Earth.
In 2008, the American Planetary Societyheld an international competition for projects to send a small AMS to Apophis for trajectory measurements of an asteroid, in which 37 institute and other initiative teams from 20 countries took part.
Observations of the asteroid Apophis are carried out atthe help of the 8.2-meter reflector telescope "Subaru", which is located at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii. During the study of the asteroid, the Yarkovsky Effect was noticed. The phenomenon occurs on that part of the asteroid's surface, which heats up from the Sun during the day and cools down at night. This results in the formation of thermal radiation, which creates a jet pulse and accelerates the asteroid.
That’s not all. The same Yarkovsky effect occurred with an asteroid, which led to irreversible consequences.
The asteroid deviated from its original orbit by 170 m per year. This value is enough that it is impossible to accurately predict the trajectory of the asteroid in 2068.
What was known about the 2068 collision?
The probability of a collision between Apophis and Earth in 2068 has already been reported. Prior to discovering this effect, scientists thought a potential collision with Earth in 2068 was impossible, but now researchers need to make further observations to figure out the likelihood of a collision.
Later, scientists found out that an asteroid with a diameter of 300meters is moving along such a trajectory that in 2068 it should collide with the Earth. Valery Shuvalov, head of the laboratory for mathematical modeling of geophysical processes at the Institute of Dynamics of Geospheres of the Russian Academy of Sciences, conducted his research and found out the consequences that await the planet from the fall of Apophis. If the asteroid crashes on Moscow, the city will be completely destroyed along with part of the Moscow region. Scientists do not yet know how to change the trajectory of Apophis to avoid a catastrophe.
What can be done?
One of the more exotic options suggested that Apophis should be wrapped in highly reflective film. The pressure of sunlight on the film will change the asteroid's orbit.
Roskosmos considered the possibility of creating its own project to save the Earth from an asteroid fall. Former head of Roscosmos Anatoly Perminov after meeting with an unnamed scientist:
In the future, it was planned to connect other countries to this project, however, due to the denial of the likelihood of a possible collision, the project will most likely not develop.
Read also:
The annual mission in the Arctic has ended and the data are disappointing. What awaits humanity?
See the closest shots of the Sun's surface
Coronaviruses have learned to mimic human immune proteins and trick the body