It’s amazing how inaccurate stories can be circulated so fast on the web as valid news or buzz. The asteroid Apophis was originally reported on about three years ago, but just yesterday there were online rumors about the odds changing about it impacting the earth. I just got this emailed news statement from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
NEWS RELEASE #2008-063 dated April 16, 2008:
NASA Statement on Student Asteroid Calculations
PASADENA, Calif. — The Near-Earth Object Program Office at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., has not changed its current estimates for the very low probability (1 in 45,000) of an Earth impact by the asteroid Apophis in 2036.
Contrary to recent press reports, NASA offices involved in near-Earth object research were not contacted and have had no correspondence with a young German student, who claims the Apophis impact probability is far higher than the current estimate.
This student’s conclusion reportedly is based on the possibility of a collision with an artificial satellite during the asteroid’s close approach in April 2029. However, the asteroid will not pass near the main belt of geosynchronous satellites in 2029, and the chance of a collision with a satellite is exceedingly remote.
Therefore, consideration of this satellite collision scenario does not affect the current impact probability estimate for Apophis, which remains at 1 in 45,000.
NASA detects and tracks asteroids and comets passing close to Earth. The Near Earth Object Observation Program, commonly called “Spaceguard,” discovers, characterizes and computes trajectories for these objects to determine if any could be potentially hazardous to our planet.
For more information:
Near Earth Object Observation Program http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov
NASA www.nasa.gov
Other Sources:
www.livescience.com
www.earthsky.org
www.astronomy.com
www.planetary.org
