Apophis: A Rare Celestial Event in 2029

In 2029, the world will witness a rare astronomical event as the asteroid Apophis passes close to Earth. This asteroid, measuring 340 meters wide, will approach Earth safely, providing scientists worldwide with a unique opportunity to study it up close.

Ramses Mission: Europe’s Hope to Understand Apophis

The Ramses Mission, which stands for “Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety,” is part of European efforts to study asteroids. This mission builds on the expertise gained from the Hera mission, which examined the asteroid targeted by NASA’s planetary defense mission, DART. According to Professor Monica Lazzarin from the University of Padua in Italy, progress on this mission is going well.

Ramses is scheduled for launch in the spring of 2028, aiming to approach Apophis and study it in detail, including its orbit, rotational state, internal structure, and surface changes.

International Collaboration and Japan’s Role

The Ramses mission requires a final funding decision from the European Space Agency’s ministerial council in November. If the launch is successful, Ramses will carry two small satellites, one of which may land on Apophis equipped with a navigation camera, seismometer, and magnetometer.

Additionally, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) plans to visit Apophis as part of its DESTINY+ mission, which aims to study the parent body of the Geminid meteor shower.

NASA’s Involvement in Monitoring Apophis

NASA is also participating in monitoring Apophis through the OSIRIS-APEX mission, an extension of NASA’s project to sample the asteroid Bennu. Despite financial challenges that threaten to cancel the mission, the team continues preparations to meet Apophis, hoping Congress will pass legislation to save the mission.

Challenges and Future Opportunities

While some missions face challenges such as rocket development delays, these challenges present new opportunities, such as DESTINY+ meeting Apophis before heading to its final destination, asteroid 3200 Phaethon.

Operations teams are coordinating activities to enhance observations and data collection, enabling a deeper understanding of Apophis.

Conclusion

The passage of Apophis near Earth offers a rare chance for scientists to study an asteroid closely. Through international collaboration and coordination among scientific teams, researchers aim to gather as much information as possible to improve our understanding of asteroids and how natural forces affect them. This significant astronomical event promises further discoveries that may contribute to protecting our planet from future space threats.