[ad_1]
A huge asteroid dubbed the “God of chaos” is gaining speed as it travels to Earth, according to cautious experts.
The space rock has a potential impact date of 2068 and could cause an explosion of up to 880 million tons of the explosive substance TNT.
3
The asteroid is named after Apophis, the Egyptian god of chaos.
Astronomers from the University of Hawai’i observed Apophis and recently noticed that it accelerated its path.
This is said to be due to a process called non-uniform radiation that is pushing the asteroid.
Experts have warned that there is a possibility that the “God of chaos” could have an impact on Earth in the next 48 years.
3
New findings suggest that an impact on April 12, 2068 is possible and could be catastrophic.
This is because the asteroid is over 1,213 feet wide.
This makes it taller than The Shard, the tallest building in the UK which stands at just over 1,000 feet.
3
Apophis was discovered in 2004.
A 2068 Earth impact was originally thought impossible, but the effect of non-uniform radiation on the asteroid is said to have changed that possibility.
There is no need to panic yet though.
NASA’s Sentry Risk Table estimates there is a one in 150,000 chance that the asteroid will hit Earth within 48 years.
However, Dave Tholen, a researcher at the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Hawaii, thinks the chances are even slimmer.
According to Gizmodo, Tholen thinks the chances are closer to one in 530,000 for an impact in 2068.
Astronomers will continue to keep an eye on the huge space rock.
When it was first discovered, it was feared that it had a 2.7% chance of hitting Earth in 2029.
More recent data suggests it will pass within 19,794 miles of Earth at the end of this decade.
What is the difference between an asteroid, a meteor and a comet?
Here’s what you need to know, according to NASA …
- Asteroid: An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits the Sun. Most of it is found in the asteroid belt (between Mars and Jupiter) but can be found anywhere (even in a path that can impact Earth)
- Meteoroid: When two asteroids hit each other, the small pieces that break off are called meteoroids
- Meteor: If a meteoroid enters Earth’s atmosphere, it begins to vaporize and then becomes a meteor. On Earth, it will look like a streak of light in the sky, because the rock is burning
- Meteorite: If a meteoroid does not fully vaporize and survives its journey through Earth’s atmosphere, it can land on Earth. At that point it becomes a meteorite
- Comet: Like asteroids, a comet orbits the Sun. However, rather than being composed mainly of rock, a comet contains a lot of ice and gas, which can cause surprising tails to form behind them (thanks to the vapor and dust that evaporate. )
BRILLIANT MOON
NASA finds WATER on the Moon as a huge boost for future manned missions
LABORATORY TAGLIATELLA
“Living brain aneurysm” produced from human blood and tissue created by scientists
RED PLAN-IT
The nuclear rocket engine designed for NASA could halve the time it takes to reach Mars
DEAD RED
Great white shark turns sea RED in seal attack yards from terrified swimmers
ROCKING THE BOAT
The Loch Ness monster could be real and could be a giant eel, says the scientist
In other space news, NASA announced the discovery of water on the surface of the Moon.
Astronomers will have fun this week because there is a chance to see a comet, Uranus in opposition and a “Blue Moon” on Halloween.
And SpaceX wants to bring its Starlink satellite broadband service to Mars.
What do you think of the asteroid “God of Chaos”? Let us know in the comments …
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at [email protected]
[ad_2]
Source link
