Obnews Digital Desk. The giant meteor passing by Earth Apophis, also known as the “God of Chaos”, will make a close approach in the next five years. This phenomenon has become a matter of concern for scientists, because according to new research, Earth's gravity can generate astroquakes on the surface of Apophis, which can change its appearance.
Apophis, which was discovered in 2004, has been kept under close observation by scientists since the beginning. In the initial predictions, it was said that the probability of it hitting the Earth in 2029 was 2.7%, but according to the new data now this risk has almost ended and its risk has reduced to 1 to 2 billion. However, Apophis is still considered a “potentially hazardous” object and scientists continue to study its transit.
Apophis will pass by Earth on April 13, 2029, and will be just 19,000 miles (about 30,000 kilometers) from our planet, which is closer than some satellites. This meteor is approximately 1,230 feet tall, which is equal to the size of the Empire State Building. If it were to hit Earth, it could prove to be a “city-destroying” meteor, but at the moment there is no danger of it hitting Earth.
Scientists' attention is now focused on the effects of Earth's gravity on the surface of Apophis. A team led by Ronald-Lewis Bellows of Johns Hopkins University has studied whether Earth's gravity could generate “astroquakes” on Apophis. These tremors may begin about an hour before the meteor's closest approach, shaking Apophis's surface, loosening rocks and perhaps even sending some boulders into space. In addition, the meteor's rotation speed may also change, causing landslides and exposing new surface layers.
