NASA alert! 'God of Chaos' asteroid approaching Earth on November 13 sparks worldwide concern

Asteroid Apophis, dubbed the 'God of Chaos', is making a close approach to Earth on November 13, 2029.

The asteroid, which is estimated to be about 1,100 feet wide, is expected to pass within 19,000 miles of Earth's surface, closer than many satellites.

While NASA has said the asteroid poses no impact risk to Earth on this pass, it is still being closely monitored by astronomers around the world.

What is Asteroid Apophis?

Asteroid Apophis was discovered in 2004 and quickly gained attention due to its relatively large size and potential for a future impact with Earth.

In 2004, astronomers predicted that Apophis had a 1 in 37 chance of impacting Earth in 2029. However, subsequent observations have refined this prediction, and it is now believed that the asteroid poses no impact risk on its upcoming close approach.

Despite being considered a "near-Earth object" (NEO), Apophis is not currently classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA), as its orbit does not bring it close enough to Earth to pose a significant impact risk in the foreseeable future.

Why is Asteroid Apophis called the 'God of Chaos'?

Asteroid Apophis's nickname, the 'God of Chaos', comes from its erratic and unpredictable orbit, which makes it difficult to predict its future path.

The asteroid's orbit is also affected by the gravitational pull of other planets in the solar system, which can cause it to make sudden changes in direction and speed.

As a result, astronomers have had difficulty predicting Apophis's exact path and have had to rely on computer simulations to model its future trajectory.

What will happen when Asteroid Apophis passes Earth on November 13, 2029?

When Asteroid Apophis passes Earth on November 13, 2029, it is expected to be visible to the naked eye in some parts of the world.

Astronomers are planning to use this close approach to study the asteroid in detail, including its size, shape, and composition.

The close approach will also provide scientists with an opportunity to test their asteroid deflection technologies, which could be used to prevent a future impact from a potentially hazardous asteroid.

Is there any risk of Asteroid Apophis impacting Earth in the future?

While Asteroid Apophis poses no impact risk on its upcoming close approach in 2029, astronomers are still studying its orbit to determine its potential for future impacts.

Some scientists believe that Apophis may pose a small impact risk in the year 2036, but this risk is still considered to be very low.

NASA has said that it is monitoring Apophis closely and will continue to study its orbit to assess any potential future impact risks.