The Apophis asteroid, officially known as 99942 Apophis, has garnered attention for its potential threat to Earth, here are some things to know.
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Discovered on June 19, 2004, by astronomers at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona derived from the Egyptian god of chao.
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Apophis is approximately 370 meters 1,210 feet in diameter, making it large enough to cause substantial regional devastation.
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Shortly after its discovery, calculations indicated a 2.7% chance of impact with Earth on April 13, 2029.
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It will pass within 31,300 kilometres 19,500 miles of Earth closer than many geostationary satellites.
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While the 2029 approach has been ruled out as a threat, there remains a small chance of impact in 2068.
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Organizations like NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) are developing methods to deflect or mitigate asteroid threats.
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Although the threat from Apophis has diminished, it serves as a reminder of the ever-present risks posed by near-Earth objects.