Apophis

Re: Apophis

Wed, 19 May 2010 06:15:06 +0000

You might like our discussion of it on the asteroids page.

Re: Apophis

Tue, 18 May 2010 23:34:59 +0000

Thanks!!!

Re: Apophis

Tue, 18 May 2010 23:26:08 +0000

99942 Apophis is an asteroid, not a comet. In 2029, it will pass through a region of space that could potentially give it a slim chance of hitting the earth in 2036. Probability at the moment is 1 in 250,000. Even if such an impact were to occur with an object the size of Apophis (and irregular 270 meters or so), it might cause local devastation, but it would not be a doomsday, apocalypse or anything of that nature.

And I repeat, the probability of Apophis colliding with the Earth in 2036 is 1 in 250,000. Nothing to worry about.

Re: Apophis

Tue, 18 May 2010 23:23:54 +0000

Basically it's just an asteroid that's supposed to pass the Earth at a relatively close distance, it's going to miss us, but if it were to pass through a "keyhole" then it could return to enter the Earth's atmosphere and impact the Earth sometime in 2036 I think it is.

Frankly, it's nothing that I'm worried about.

Apophis

Tue, 18 May 2010 23:15:58 +0000

I know it isn't about 2012, but could you tell me about this comet and 2029?

Thanks a bunch!!