Asteroid Apophis

[Waveform]

Here is an interesting article and link on Apophis the asteroid.

I'll post this because I remember we had a discussion several months ago on this particular asteroid.

Apophis was the ancient Egyptian demon of chaos. I suppose it is probably fitting that they should name asteroid 99942 Apophis.

Anyway, here is a 'snip it' of the article and link.

There is also a $25.000 prise on the line.

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The Near Earth Asteroid (NEO) Apophis is expected to flyby the Earth in 2029. However, this flyby will be more of a "fly-very-close" as the lump of rock will miss the Earth by only a few thousand kilometers. This near-miss isn't worrying scientists too much, but should the asteroid tumble through a 400 meter gravitational "keyhole", there is concern that the asteroid could swing by and risk another collision in 2036. Although the odds are fairly slim, astronomers need better precision in calculating Apopis's orbital trajectory.


Link

[liveweatherman]

Yeah this really interesting one.. I have read about this coming asteroid it will be a great threat on earth on the year 2036..if that thing will hit the earth surface it's like tons of bombs..a great disaster. This will be like Armageddon..This will be an international concern..

[Waveform]

Yes, this is an interesting asteroid. It will make a fairly close approach in 2012 that a very close pass in 2036.
It look like we will be safe on both passes. However, they will have to check the orbit after the 2012 pass to see how much it's orbit is changed.

It' not a real exterminator asteroid as the one that probably took out the dinosaurs. However, it would certainly cause a lot of trouble for many years.
An impact in the right place (or wrong place) could easily kill 50 to 80 million and really mess the atmosphere for a bit.

On the 2036 pass it will be easily visible to the naked eye and the apparent movement should be detectable.

It's not so much the ones we know about to be concerned with, it's the ones we don't know about.

[liveweatherman]

Japan's Hayabusa mission

Regarding the skill required to deposit a transponder on Apophis, Schweickart saluted Japan's Hayabusa asteroid sample-return mission, now in progress.

That craft is scheduled to make two landings on its target asteroid - Itokawa -- later this month. The mission is geared to haul back samples of the object to Earth.

Scientists at Japan's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) are working day-by-day issues in readying the probe for contact with the asteroid, including release of a mini-robot onto Itokawa that will move about and survey its rocky surroundings. ISAS is a research arm of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

"It's an impressive mission," Schweickart said, sure to yield operational experience and lessons learned on how best to execute duties on asteroid Apophis.

(source: space.com/news/051103_asteroid_apophis.html)

Another great idea and research from Japan as they have the technology to lunch such project..this will be mostly bring threat to the pacific as they concluded that this will hit the Pacifc area. This mission will be another achievement for Japan..Lets get this thread going Waveform this is interesting..

[Waveform]

This was from JPL today, so I thought I would post it...



NEWS RELEASE: 2008-063 April 16, 2008
NASA Statement on Student Asteroid Calculations
PASADENA, Calif. -- The Near-Earth Object Program Office at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., has not changed its current estimates for the very low probability (1 in 45,000) of an Earth impact by the asteroid Apophis in 2036.

Contrary to recent press reports, NASA offices involved in near-Earth object research were not contacted and have had no correspondence with a young German student, who claims the Apophis impact probability is far higher than the current estimate.

This student's conclusion reportedly is based on the possibility of a collision with an artificial satellite during the asteroid's close approach in April 2029. However, the asteroid will not pass near the main belt of geosynchronous satellites in 2029, and the chance of a collision with a satellite is exceedingly remote.

Therefore, consideration of this satellite collision scenario does not affect the current impact probability estimate for Apophis, which remains at 1 in 45,000.
NASA detects and tracks asteroids and comets passing close to Earth. The Near Earth Object Observation Program, commonly called "Spaceguard," discovers, characterizes and computes trajectories for these objects to determine if any could be potentially hazardous to our planet.
For more information, visit
http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov .

[liveweatherman]

The student was Nico Marquardt 13 years old from Potsdam, Germany,in the science competition he recalculated the probability of the collision and give out a 1:450 chance of colliding with earth on its next orbit on 2036 but apparently unnamed German ESA spokesman told The Register that a small boy did do these calculations,but he made mistakes.. NASA figures are correct.