Apophis, God of Chaos, Approaches Earth: NASA Monitors the Cosmic Threat (image-X/mysteriousuniv)

Named after Apep, the ancient Egyptian god of chaos, the 99942 Apophis asteroid is on its way towards Earth, with its closest pass expected on November 13. Roughly the size of New York’s Empire State Building, Apophis could potentially cause catastrophic destruction if it collides with planet Earth.

However, NASA scientists have assured that the massive asteroid will pass at a safe distance of nearly 19,000 miles.

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Discovered in 2004, the Apophis asteroid, classified as a “near-Earth object” (NEO), will enter an area influenced by the gravitational pull of the Earth, which could create the possibility of intense surface vibrations or “astroquakes.”

These astroquakes could potentially trigger strong tremors on the asteroid’s surface, changing both its structure and trajectory.

The reason behind the attention and concern for Apophis is largely due to its massive size— 1,100 feet (335 meters)—and proximity to Earth. NASA’s Near-Earth Object Studies Centre has been monitoring the asteroid for the past two decades.

In March 2021, a radar observation campaign combined with precise orbit analysis helped astronomers to conclude that there is no risk of the asteroid colliding with Earth for at least a century.

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Apophis will make its closest approach to Earth on April 13, 2029 (Friday) and will be visible with the unaided eye. NASA will have its OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft to meet the massive asteroid. NASA scientists hope to collect data from the asteroid via the satellite, which, if everything goes well, will be joined by several other little satellites.

The crucial information could help scientists better understand the solar system but also help in developing defence measures against dangerous asteroids in space.