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The asteroid the size of three football fields, named after the god of chaos, was found to accelerate as it approached Earth. Scientists say this situation increases the likelihood of Apophis hitting Earth in 2068.
Researchers from the University of Hawaii Institute of Astronomy found that the asteroid Apophis was accelerating due to a phenomenon known as the Yarkovsky effect.
According to the findings, Apophis is repelled by sunlight, and parts of the meteorite are heating up faster than other regions. Yarkovsky acceleration also comes into play here.
IT COULD HIT THE WORLD IN 2068
Astronomer Dave Tholen, who has observed the movement of the meteorite in the sky since its discovery in 2004, explained this situation as follows:
Our new observations with the Subaru telescope this year revealed Apophis’ Yarkovsky acceleration. It showed that the asteroid is moving from a fully gravitational orbit at about 170 meters per year. This is enough to keep the scenario that will hit the Earth in 2068 on the agenda.
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