The simulation shares the terrifying reality of what would happen if the asteroid collided with our planet
A simulation has shown what could occur if the Apophis asteroid crashed into Earth.
99942 Apophis, which is often called the ‘God of Chaos', is a peanut-shaped asteroid that is an impressive 340 meters wide.
On April 13, 2029, it is anticipated that Apophis will make a close approach to Earth, reaching a distance of approximately 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) from the surface of our planet.
It will zoom across the Atlantic Ocean, moving so fast that it will take under an hour to get to the other side.
The asteroid is not expected to hit Earth (Getty Stock Image)
It is reassuring to learn that the asteroid will not collide with Earth. Nevertheless, a recent study has identified another object, approximately 0.6 meters in length, which could potentially alter this situation, although the likelihood of such an event occurring remains low.
Canadian astronomer Paul Wiegert and his partner Benjamin Hyatt studied the chances of an asteroid crashing into something else, which could make it zoom toward Earth.
A research article in The Planetary Science revealed that if the object grows to 3.4 meters, it might be powerful enough to change the asteroid's path.
And if this happens, it could collide with our planet at a later date.
Luckily for us, scientists have stated that the chances of this happening are really low, about 2.7 percent.
But what would happen if the asteroid did end up colliding with our planet?
How bad would it be?
Well, according to digital platform Cosmoknowledge, although Apophis wouldn't be ‘a planet killer' it ‘would ruin our day if it made contact'.
A simulation indicates that, should it collide with Earth, the impact would release energy equivalent to 1,000 megatons of TNT, comparable to the destructive force of numerous nuclear weapons.
It might not be a danger to all of humanity, but it could lead to billions of deaths and cause major problems with the climate.
“We would have to get out of the way if we could not stop it or change its trajectory,” they explain.
A project that big would require countries all over the world to work together because millions of people could end up being the first refugees from space.
Whether or not we can evacuate depends on how big, heavy, fast, and at what angle the asteroid is coming at us.
NASA has shared its thoughts on what might happen after looking into the asteroid from last year.
In a statement, the space agency said: “The intrigue of Apophis is its exceptionally close approach of our planet on April 13, 2029.
Even though Apophis isn't going to crash into Earth this time or anytime soon, when it zooms by in 2029, it will come within 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) of our planet. That's actually closer than some satellites, and it might be bright enough to see without a telescope in the Eastern Hemisphere.
“Scientists estimate that asteroids of Apophis' size, about 367 yards across (about 340 metres), come this close to Earth only once every 7,500 years.”
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Cosmoknowledge
