The “God of Chaos” asteroid is accelerating as it makes its way to Earth

Scientists say the phenomenon increases the chances that Apophis will impact Earth in 2068; an event previously deemed “impossible”.

The asteroid is pushed by sunlight. The Yarkovsky acceleration comes into play when the thermal radiation is no longer uniform, which means that some parts of the space rock heat up faster than others.

“They show that the asteroid is moving away from a purely gravitational orbit of about 170 meters per year, which is enough to keep the 2068 impact scenario in play.”

Astronomers will know if the asteroid hits Earth long before 2068.

Mr. Tholen has been following Apophis’ movement in the sky since his team discovered it in 2004.

Aphophis will also make an “extremely close” approach to Earth on Friday, April 13, 2029.

During this fly-by the 300-meter asteroid will be visible to the naked eye, but there is no possibility of impact.

“We have long known that an impact with the Earth is not possible during the close approach of 2029,” Tholen said.

This isn’t the first time our blue planet has come into close contact with a potentially dangerous asteroid, since the dinosaur killer, Chicxulub.

It was spotted by NASA just three weeks before the flight.