If you think that story plot of Deep Impact and Armageddon space impact movie, where humankind has to race against the time trying to deflect the asteroid that heading toward and about to collide with Earth, is simply imaginative and fictional, may be you should think again. Asteroid Apophis is reported to has a 1 in 45,000 chance of striking Earth on April 13, 2036. But don’t worry, there is no need to produce a few ‘earth saving heroes’ that need to sacrifice their life as in the movies, as the odd and chance of direct impact between Apophis and Earth is still consideringly low.
Near miss path of Apophis with while line been uncertainty or margin of error of its path estimation.
(99942) Apophis which previously known with provisional designation 2004 MN4 was first making massive news in December 2004 after been initial observations indicated a relatively large probability as high as 1 in 37 (2.7%) that it would strike the Earth in 2029, causing NASA to rate the asteroid with Torino scale rating of 4, the first time any asteroid had received a rating above 1, although additional observations provided improved predictions that eliminated that possibility.
According to CNN (link dead), United Nations (U.N.) may be asked to organize an asteroid deflection mission on Apophis and develop a blueprint or plan for a global response to an asteroid threat, including adopt procedures for assessing asteroid threats and deciding if and when to take action.
If any Earth rescue mission is carried out, the favored approach to deal with a potentially deadly space rock such as Apophis is by using Gravity Tractor where a spacecraft will maintain a position near the threatening asteroid and use gravity to alter the asteroid’s course so it no longer threatens Earth.
LK is a technology writer for Tech Journey with background of system and network administrator. He has be documenting his experiences in digital and technology world for over 15 years.Connect with LK through Tech Journey on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.
