'God of Chaos' Asteroid's 2029 Earth Flyby Could Trigger Major Changes
The asteroid 99942 Apophis, named after the Egyptian god of darkness, will pass extremely close to Earth on April 13, 2029, at a distance of about 32,000 kilometers, closer than many satellites. While there is no risk of collision, the gravitational pull from Earth could cause "astroquakes" on Apophis, potentially altering its surface. This event provides a unique opportunity for scientists to study the asteroid's composition and behavior, with NASA's OSIRIS-APEX mission set to observe these changes. Understanding such interactions is crucial for planetary defense strategies.