Quantcast
ZME Science
  • CoronavirusNEW
  • News
  • Environment
    • Climate
    • Animals
    • Renewable Energy
    • Eco tips
    • Environmental Issues
    • Green Living
  • Health
    • Alternative Medicine
    • Anatomy
    • Diseases
    • Genetics
    • Mind & Brain
    • Nutrition
  • Future
  • Space
  • Feature
    • Feature Post
    • Art
    • Great Pics
    • Design
    • Fossil Friday
    • AstroPicture
    • GeoPicture
    • Did you know?
    • Offbeat
  • More
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Our stance on climate change
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
Home Space

Apophis meteorite will buzz nearby Earth tonight – no reason to worry

Mihai Andrei by Mihai Andrei
January 9, 2013
in Space
ADVERTISEMENT

The Apophis meteorite was named after an Egyptian demon of destruction, and for good reason – every now and then, it keeps buzzing our planet, a little to close for comfort.

asteriod-apophis-trece-azi-pe-langa-terra-potentiala-ciocnire-18440431

The 275 meter object will pass at about 15 million km away from the Earth – the Moon, for example is much closer, at only 400.000 km. Scientists have ruled out any possibility of a collision, so there’s really no reason to worry – instead, it promises to give some remarkable views and increase our knowledge on close passings of asteroids, ultimately preparing us for any potential future impacts.

Get more science news like this...

Join the ZME newsletter for amazing science news, features, and exclusive scoops. More than 40,000 subscribers can't be wrong.

   

ADVERTISEMENT

However, Apophis will pass by Earth again in 2036 – but much closer. At only 30.000 km, it will be about as close as some of our satellites – which is indeed a reason for worry. Should it would collide with Earth, Apophis would generate a blast equivalent to over 500 megatons of TNT – 9 times bigger than any bomb detonated on our planet. A course of collision for 2036 still hasn’t been ruled out.

“Scientists haven’t been able to rule out an impact yet,” Dr Hugh Lewis from the University of Southampton said.

But even if it is on course for Earth, even today, we have the possibility to prepare for this.

Tags: apophismeteorite
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Andrei's background is in geophysics, and he's been fascinated by it ever since he was a child. Feeling that there is a gap between scientists and the general audience, he started ZME Science -- and the results are what you see today.

Follow ZME on social media

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Coronavirus
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Feature
  • More

© 2007-2019 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Coronavirus
  • News
  • Environment
    • Climate
    • Animals
    • Renewable Energy
    • Eco tips
    • Environmental Issues
    • Green Living
  • Health
    • Alternative Medicine
    • Anatomy
    • Diseases
    • Genetics
    • Mind & Brain
    • Nutrition
  • Future
  • Space
  • Feature
    • Feature Post
    • Art
    • Great Pics
    • Design
    • Fossil Friday
    • AstroPicture
    • GeoPicture
    • Did you know?
    • Offbeat
  • More
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Our stance on climate change
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2019 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.