Asteroid Named “God of Chaos” Passed By Earth Recently, And It’s Coming Back

Australian Online News

According to NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), an asteroid that measures around the same size as the Eiffel Tower has passed by Earth just a few weeks ago, but it was so peaceful that basically no one knew except the experts. But what’s worrisome is the fact that the scientists warn that it’s coming back, and next time it won’t be as serene. Apparently, the next time the “God of Chaos” – as it’s been aptly named – will be back in 2029 and it could possibly cause an disastrous crash by destroying satellites that are currently orbiting the planet.

It was on March 6, a Friday, when the asteroid 99942 Apophis (aka “God of Chaos”) was said to come within 10.9 million miles of Earth and the Near-Earth Orbit region. Although this time around the distance was not necessarily dangerous, NASA researchers believe that next time, it won’t be so safe. In fact they claim that in 2029, it’ll come within 19,800 miles of the planet.


They consider the distance as a ‘mere stone’s throw in galactic terms,’ also because it’s actually way less distance than the space between Earth and the moon. Because of this, during the asteroid’s flyby, it could possibly have a very dangerous collision that causes the annihilation of some very expensive high-altitude communications satellites.

NASA even released an animated video that demonstrates the possibly flyby and how it could look as it approaches Earth.

The asteroid was actually discovered back in 2004, and researchers had already predicted that it could make a possible collision in 2029, giving it the name Apophis. What this name represents is actually an Ancient Egyptian demon serpent chaos deity. Crazily enough, and aptly titled, there is also a death metal band with the same name.

Although there were many moments of panic, NASA scientists have reassessed their original thoughts and have decided that thankfully, it will no longer strike any surface of the planet, allowing everyone to breath a sigh of relief.


According to Marina Brozović, a radar scientist from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, “The Apophis close approach in 2029 will be an incredible opportunity for science. We’ll observe the asteroid with both optical and radar telescopes.”

She added, “With radar observations, we might be able to see surface details that are only a few meters in size.”

And while it will take instruments to see the closer particulars of the asteroid, it will actually fly so close to the planet that some people will be able to see it fly by from the very ground of the earth and with their naked eye. And if that’s not something to mark your calendar for, even years ahead of schedule, that what is?

 

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