NASA scientists disagree, pretty much

HOUSTON – A recent report by Russian scientists says that an asteroid
discovered in 2004 known as “99942 Apophis” will hit the earth on April 13, 2036
and basically release the force of 65 atomic bombs while unleashing 800’
tsunamis, you know Armageddon, Doomsday!  NASA said back in 2004 that “99942
Apophis” could hit earth in 2029. NASA
then revised its numbers and calculations and said never mind.

Now, Russian scientists are offering up the new date, April 13, 2036 and
saying Apophis will hit earth.  Apophis is
a 900 foot long asteroid and should it impact earth, the results would be pretty darn bad.  So, who you gonna believe,
NASA or the Russians?

NASA does acknowledge
that what the Russians say “could happen,” but is far from likely. So what are the odds? 1 in 250,000 says NASA. Which is better than your chances of winning
the lottery.

Ria Novosti, the Russian News Agency, reports, “Apophis will approach
Earth at a distance of 37,000-38,000 kilometers on April 13, 2029.  Its likely collision with Earth may occur on
April 13, 2036,” Professor Leonid Sokolov of the St. Petersburg State
University said.

Sokolov also says that Apophis would likely disintegrate into much smaller
parts before hitting terra firma and you know, killing everything everywhere.

“Our task is to consider various alternatives and develop scenarios and
plans of action depending on the results of further observations of
Apophis,” Sokolov said.

So, what are those plans of action? The most simple option would be to crash a
spacecraft into the asteroid.  This happened
in 2005 when Deep Impact was used to divert the comet Tempel 1.

Either way, scientists will learn more when “99942 Apophis”
passes very close to the earth on April 13, 2029. The asteroid will pass just 18,000 miles above
earth, which is closer than satellites.

“At closest approach, the asteroid will shine like a
3rd magnitude star, visible to the unaided eye from Africa, Europe and
Asia–even through city lights,” says Jon Giorgini of Jet Propulsion Laboratories. 
This is rare.  Objects this size coming so close to earth are believed to occur at 1,000 year intervals on average.

Based on its path at that time, scientists will be better able
to determine if the asteroid will set itself on a collision course for Earth in 2036.  Which would give them and us about 7 years to figure out
how to move the asteroid.  No worries.  How old will Bruce Willis be in 2036?

81!

Not for nothing, April 13, 2036 is Easter Sunday.

For those of you interested in knowing what would happen “if” Apophis hit
earth, please enjoy the following simulation video.

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About John G. Winder

John G. Winder has spent 29 years in the broadcasting industry as an on-air report, General Manager and Executive in both radio & television.

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