The Truth About the Object “Heading Towards Earth in 2029”

Apophis, a small asteroid discovered in 2004, was immediately deemed “potentially hazardous”. Initially, predictions showed that this object had a 2.7% chance of colliding with Earth in 2029. A 2.7% probability is alarmingly high for an object with a diameter of over 330 meters, as it has the potential to cause immense destruction upon impact with any planet.

According to Science Alert, a group of leading scientists, including astronomer Paul Wiegert from Western University (USA) and Ben Hyatt from the University of Waterloo (Canada), have recently used new methods to recalculate the threat posed by this “potential doomsday perpetrator”.

Using models to predict the orbits of over 1.3 million known asteroids, including Apophis, the researchers have overturned the position of Apophis as the “top danger to Earth”, confirming that it will not collide with our planet in the next few years.

The approach in 2029 will merely be a safe flyby at a comfortable distance. The scientists also considered the scenario of another asteroid colliding with Apophis and altering its trajectory, potentially causing it to directly hit Earth instead of passing by.

Simulations only showed one potential object that could turn Apophis into a “killer”, which is the asteroid Xanthus. However, in 2026, these two objects will pass each other at a distance of 10,000 km without colliding. Therefore, Apophis will not be diverted from its path and will not collide with Earth in the coming years.

“The only thing we should worry about now are the unknown asteroids,” emphasized the group of authors.

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