NASA Alert: Massive 'God of Chaos' Asteroid Apophis Makes Closest Pass by Earth Yet
NASA warns as the massive asteroid 99942 Apophis, known as the "God of Chaos," makes its closest pass by Earth yet. While posing no immediate collision threat, its proximity could trigger surface vibrations, potentially altering its trajectory.
Asteroid
NASA is preparing for a close encounter with the massive asteroid 99942 Apophis, also known as the "God of Chaos," as it makes its closest pass by Earth today, November 13th.
Measuring approximately 450 by 170 meters—about the size of New York's Empire State Building—Apophis has captured both concern and fascination due to the potential destruction it could cause if it were on a collision course with Earth.
Discovered in 2004, Apophis quickly became one of the most well-known near-Earth objects (NEOs) because of its size and proximity to our planet. However, while it will pass at a safe distance of around 19,000 miles—close enough to be affected by Earth's gravitational pull—scientists have confirmed that there is no immediate threat of collision.
This close approach could trigger what are known as "astroquakes," surface vibrations that might alter Apophis' structure and trajectory. Asteroid expert Ronald-Louis Ballouz and his team have suggested that gravitational forces could potentially cause these shifts.
NASA's Near-Earth Object Studies Center has been monitoring Apophis for nearly two decades and assures that the asteroid poses no risk of impacting Earth for at least the next 100 years.NASA Alert: Massive 'God of Chaos' Asteroid Apophis Makes Closest Pass by Earth Yet
