Science reassesses possibility of asteroid Apophis hitting Earth

According to the latest observations and calculations, there is still a certain risk that asteroid Apophis will change its orbit and hit Earth in 2029.

Previously, astronomers calculated that there was a small chance that Apophis would hit Earth in 2029, or else it would hit our planet in 2036.

Apophis will pass by Earth at a distance of 40,000km on April 13, 2029, and its orbit will be diverted by Earth's gravity - (Photo: European Space Agency).

Observations over the following years showed that Apophis would be about 40,000km away from Earth in 2029, passing us if a natural collision between Apophis and another passing object did not change its orbit, according to IFLScience on March 5.

Astronomers are now calculating this risk.

At 335m in diameter, Apophis is unlikely to send us back to the dinosaur era if it collides, but it will still cause massive damage.

On April 13, 2029, Apophis will be just 23,000 miles (37,399 kilometers) from Earth. A small hit from another flying object during that time could cause a major deflection. NASA's DART mission to divert the asteroid Dimorphos proved this.

"Because Apophis will pass by Earth at such a close distance, there is a risk that a deviation from its current orbit will bring Apophis close enough to impact us," said study co-author Benjamin Hyatt, of the University of Waterloo (Canada).

The team calculated the trajectories of 1.3 million known asteroids in the Solar System over the next few years, to see if any were likely to come too close to Apophis.

Fortunately, the results show that this is unlikely. Still, astronomers remain vigilant about Apophis.