| J. Falcon |
03-27-2021 07:29 AM |
NASA: Earth Safe From Asteroid Apophis for at Least 100 Years
NBC Los Angeles
Quote:
The Earth is safe for at least 100 years from the asteroid known as Apophis, which had earlier been identified as one of the most hazardous asteroids that could impact the planet, according to a NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory analysis released Friday.
The asteroid -- estimated to be about 1,100 feet across -- was discovered in 2004, leaving researchers concerned that it could pose a serious threat to Earth in 2029 and 2036 -- both of which were later ruled out.
A small chance of impact in 2068 remained until astronomers used radar observations to refine the estimate of the asteroid's orbit around the sun with extreme precision, enabling them this month to rule out any risk of impact in 2068 and long beyond, according to Davide Farnocchia of NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, which is managed by JPL in Pasadena.
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What happens after that is anyone's guess.
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