Global alert: asteroid Apophis could impact the Earth in 2029

You may be able to see it from your home

Is the Earth safe for the next 100 years?

A potential danger heading towards us

The European Space Agency (ESA) has presented Ramses to the world, the planet's defense mission designed to monitor a potential danger that could impact the Earth five years from now: asteroid Apophis.

Photo: ESA

April 3, 2029

In a statement, the ESA reported that Ramses will be in charge of monitoring the asteroid that could impact Earth on April 13, 2029.

Photo: ESA

Cruise-sized rock

Apophis is the size of a cruise ship: about 400 meters (1,312 ft) in diameter, so its impact on the planet would be potentially lethal depending on where it fell.

Photo: ESA

Ramses will monitor Apophis’ trajectory

The Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Security, as it’s called, will join the asteroid 99942 Apophis and will accompany it on its trajectory, monitoring it, the space agency said.

Photo: ESA

Trusting gravity

As the asteroid approaches Earth, researchers will analyze the influence of the planet's gravity to consider altering its physical characteristics.

Photo: ESA

Minimizing the risk of impact

The objective of the mission is to minimize the risk of Apophis colliding with Earth. However, experts say that rather than impacting the Earth, is more probable Apophis just passes close to it: 32,000 kilometers (19,800 miles) from the planet.

Photo: ESA

You may be able to see it from your home

Although that distance may seem too far, it’s closer than you think. If this trajectory is maintained, 25% of the planet's population could see the passage of Apophis. Especially in specific areas of Europe, Africa and Asia.

Photo: ESA

One every 10,000 years

For an asteroid of this size to pass so close to the planet is something unusual that, according to ESA, only occurs once every 10,000 years. For this reason they want to control it as much as possible.

Photo: ESA

Is the Earth safe for the next 100 years?

In fact, according to astronomers and experts, it has been ruled out that any asteroid will collide with Earth in the next 100 years, except for the reasonable doubt of Apophis.

Photo: ESA

Avoiding a catastrophe

For this reason, this free space verse that is Apophis will be monitored in detail in order to avoid what woul be catastrophic for humanity.

Photo: ESA

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