Will Apophis Asteroid Hit the Earth in 2036?

The Russian scientists have forecasted that the Apophis Asteroid may hit the earth on April 13, 2036. This “99942 Apophis” was initially noted in December 2004 when came near to earth. It is huge as the size of two football grounds. Professor Leonid Sokolov of the St. Petersburg State University said, "Apophis will approach Earth at a distance of 37,000-38,000 kilometers on April 13, 2029. Its likely collision with Earth may occur on April 13, 2036."

Image source: newtech.aurum3.com

Russian scientists have put their prediction based on the possibility of event that when 900 foot large Apophis will come closer to the earth in 2029, it will pass through the ‘Gravitational Keyhole’ of the earth. The Gravitational keyhole is the specific region in the space which is somewhat larger than the asteroid. It will vary the path of asteroid due to Gravity of Earth and also affects asteroid to collide with earth on its next course. This report has little variation from the reports given by the NASA. The head of NASA’s Near-Earth Object Program Office, Donald Yeomans said that technically Russian scientists are correct but the probability is only 1 in 250,000. He also quoted that there will be occurrence of orbiting of Apophis within the five radii of the earth on April 13, 2029. Therefore, there will be little episode but they have already excluded the chances of asteroid striking at that time.

Yeomans also added, “On the other hand, if it goes through what we call a keyhole during that close Earth approach … then it will indeed be perturbed just right so that it will come back and smack Earth on April 13, 2036.” Additionally, they will scrutinize the whole situation when Apophis will make a close concern to Earth in late 2012 and near the beginning of 2013 with the help of ground-based optical telescopes and radar systems. And if they will find its path harsh then NASA will build up some methods and required tools to alter the orbit of Apophis for neglecting the odds of happening. For instance, they will use solar sails to heat the surface of Asteroid and cause tail which will move it away from the earth. Furthermore, Professor Leonid Sokolov also told that the big asteroid may disintegrated into smaller fragments and they will make small impact to our earth over long time. So, conclusively the likelihood of collision of Apophis is near to nil according to the some observations of astronomers.

Asteroid will Hit Earth 2036 video from youtube: