Maybe one day we'll send a group of oil rig workers off to space on red eroticisman ill-advised mission to detonate an asteroid from the inside, but it's not going to happen during the current century.
Asteroid 99942, named "Apophis," was first discovered in 2004 and has been flagged before as a possible impact risk. Now, NASA is saying that the "slight" worry of a possible collision with Earth in 2068 can be safely put to rest, with radar observations having effectively ruled out any chance of that happening.
"A 2068 impact is not in the realm of possibility anymore, and our calculations don’t show any impact risk for at least the next 100 years," said Davide Farnocchia, whose focus at NASA is near-Earth object studies.
Apophis, whose route through outer space situates it close to our planet whenever it passes by, had previously been seen as a possible impact risk for 2029. It was always a low chance — 2.7 percent, based on the initial calculations taken in 2004 — and was eventually ruled out completely, as was a similar worry over a possible 2036 collision, which initially had a 1 in 250,000 chance of happening.
As NASA's new announcement notes, while those earlier scenarios were ruled out, there remained the small possibility of an impact in 2068. Now, thanks to data collected after a distant flyby on March 5, that can be crossed off the list as well.
"With the support of recent optical observations and additional radar observations, the uncertainty in Apophis’ orbit has collapsed from hundreds of kilometers to just a handful of kilometers when projected to 2029," Farnocchia said. "This greatly improved knowledge of its position in 2029 provides more certainty of its future motion, so we can now remove Apophis from the [Sentry Impact Risk Table]."
The risk table Farnocchia referred to is an ongoing catalog of spaceborne objects that do or will pass by close enough to Earth to pose an impact risk. So it's notable that the latest data and observations collected after the March 5 flyby led to Apophis's removal from the list.
There are certainly larger asteroids than Apophis, which is about 1,100 feet — or just over three football fields — across. But it's still large enough to have prompted anxiety around a potential impact, going back to its 2004 discovery and concerns of a (again, remotely) possible 2029 impact. So the fact that it's now removed from the Risk Table is a welcome development, particularly for a research community that sometimes struggles to convey actual risks to an easily alarmed public.
SEE ALSO: It's probably not aliens: New 'Oumuamua theory suggests simpler originsWhat's more, with impact fears now out of the picture, NASA's near-Earth object researchers can focus fully on all the opportunities that spring out of an asteroid like Apophis getting so close as it flies by.
"When I started working with asteroids after college, Apophis was the poster child for hazardous asteroids," said Farnocchia. "There’s a certain sense of satisfaction to see it removed from the risk list, and we’re looking forward to the science we might uncover during its close approach in 2029."
Blockchain Explained: How It Works, Who Cares and What Its Future May Hold
10 beautifully weird comedy shows you can stream right now
Realme X3 SuperZoom has a periscope camera and a 120Hz display
Sinkhole opens up outside Mar
The Best Sports Video Game of All Time
Samsung Money debit card to launch this summer
Virtual Minecraft protest demands Microsoft address the game’s sexual predator problem
Why some people masturbate about people they hate
Wordle today: The answer and hints for January 28, 2025
Sony Xperia 1 II launches in July for *cough* $1,200
Meta says some AGI systems are too risky to release
Melania just rejected Donald Trump's hand holding. Again.
Taylor Swift fans suspect her brother is singing on mysterious new track
Here’s how to create your Facebook Avatar in a few simple steps
Best iPad deal: Save $70 on 10th Gen Apple iPad
Some genius mapped every Marvel movie scene in chronological order
Rejected penguin has found new outlook on life with cutout of anime character
How to manage too many browser tabs
Best laptop deal: Get the 14
Canceled Netflix series 'Tuca & Bertie' lands Season 2 at Adult Swim
Civil servant fired for criticising government on Twitter wins caseRSA conference has a diversity problem'Leftovers' star Carrie Coon is a key 'Avengers: Infinity War' villainTerrifying images emerge after Southwest plane makes emergency landingNintendo Labo is changing the way we look at consoles'Beyond I Do' campaign reveals why LGBTQ discrimination is still legalRussian EEC filing indicates Apple may release iPhone SE2 this yearUS bans American companies from selling products to ZTEApple to launch a news subscription service, report saysTerrifying images emerge after Southwest plane makes emergency landingAircraft startup Wright Electric wants to use electric planes for flights in the Middle EastApple's next iPhones might be bigger and cheaperWatch Laura Ingraham’s guest mock her for losing advertisers on live TV'Avengers: Infinity War' posters are hiding free tickets behind themAmazon partners with Best Buy to sell Fire TVsSummer movie preview: What to watch if you’re in a dark moodSummer movie preview: What to watch if you’re in a dark moodThis crowdfunded, lowAstronomers are out looking for longParkland school survivors announce upcoming book: '#NEVERAGAIN' Lady Gaga's announces new album 'Joanne,' shares release date What the heck is going on with Drake, Kanye West and Kid Cudi? Hero saves smallest kitten ever on busy highway What is NASA+? Your guide to the streaming service How was a convicted serial rapist nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Here's how Airbnb is trying to convince its hosts to join its fight against New York state You can now order Domino's Pizza from a Facebook Messenger bot 3 things recruiters consider when a good candidate is under Get to know BriTANick, two of 'SNL's new crop of writers Katie Ledecky won 4 gold medals but can't have a free waffle maker UK football club responded perfectly when a psychic canceled her event Baseball exec gets suspended for keeping secret medical records Antonio Brown was fined for twerking, and his response is gold Bill Murray will be tending bar in Brooklyn this weekend Baseball trumps a new crush in MLB and AwesomenessTV series 'Out of My League' Alcohol is the scariest monster in Anne Hathaway's 'Colossal' Sweet little princess is terrified of Donald Trump Mobileye kicks Tesla to the curb for 'pushing the envelope in terms of safety' New York internet kiosks go offline after too many people use them for porn Freshman might be the most demanding roommate ever
1.678s , 8287.078125 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【red eroticism】,New Knowledge Information Network