Scientists predict that an asteroid larger than the Eiffel Tower will pass close to Earth

The Ramses mission will study 99942 Apophis when it passes by Earth in 2029.

In 2029 an asteroid larger than Eiffel tower It will pass LandIt is an event that scientists until recently feared would herald a catastrophic collision and perhaps the end of humanity.

Now researchers hope to examine it. 99942 Apophis Because it will make a close pass in an attempt to bolster our defenses against other space rocks.

the European Space Agency ESA announced funding for preparatory work for the fast track mission. Apophis Security and Safety Mission (Ramses), where a spacecraft will be sent to the asteroid to collect information about its size, shape, mass and how it rotates as it races through space.

“The connection to the Earth is completely unique.”said Dr. Holger KragChief, Space Security Program Office IssaHe added that an asteroid is not expected to come this close for a few thousand years. “If the sky is clear, you should be able to see it with the naked eye.”

the Apophis You will pass closer than Land Of the geostationary satellites used for television broadcasting, navigation and weather forecasting. At this distance he said o powerThe asteroid will begin to interact with Land.

“It’s the Earth’s gravitational field that will actually reshape the asteroid a little bit, changing its shape.”He said, adding that Gravity attraction It could also cause landslides on the asteroid’s surface.

the power He said Ramses’ visions would help scientists understand the asteroid and the danger such space rocks pose. “Our goal in planetary defense is not to conduct scientific research on asteroids, but to characterize them in such a way that we can one day neutralize them when they become dangerous.”He said.

the teacher Monica Grady to Open University He noted that while most asteroids orbit in fairly safe orbits and do not come close to our planet, Earth-crossing asteroids like Apophis are a different matter.