Monday, April 20, 2009

Apophis


We all know about all those rocky asteroids and icy comets that float around our universe. What we do not come to realize is that these could one day finish with an entire species like they once did with dinosaurs. Why not with us? In fact, an asteroid is set to come in our direction by the year of 2029. It is said that this asteroid will be closer to us than the moon is. This asteroid is called Apophis, named after the Egyptian god of destruction. Get it?
No, do not panic yet. Here is a little breather: Experts say that there is no chance that the asteroid will strike the Earth in 2029. But here is where the scary part begins: the building-sized asteroid will make a "U-turn" and is said to have a pretty good chance of hitting the Earth in April 13, 2036. Friday the 13th.
Yes, it will make a u-turn caused by a gravitational keyhole which is a region in space no more than about 600 meters across.



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