Close call
The asteroid Apophis will pass Earth on 13 April 2029, coming as close as some of our own satellites. It will be thrown off course by the Earth's gravity and, if we are very unlucky, it could swing back and hit us.
It is almost certain that the asteroid's close encounter with the Earth will change its orbit. If it passes through a certain 'keyhole' of space only 600 metres wide, it will be deflected onto a path that will send it crashing onto the planet on its next pass in 2036.
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Could Apophis hit the Earth?
Image: NASA |
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