The Russians are coming!

[Arch2008]

Dos vidanya, Apophis!

 

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/ap/20091230/twl-eu-russia-asteroid-encounter-c8e2916.html

[Airbrush]

I'm glad someone is thinking about getting a mission going. What if they push the asteroid the wrong way and cause an Earth impact? Why don't they trust the NASA estimate of such low probability for impact? OK, better to be safe than permanently sorry.

[SH3RL0CK]

I think it is very unlikely that they would push the asteroid in a manner to make it more likely to impact the earth. In fact, they would have to try in order to do so, virtually any impact would either have no affect or would make the odds less likely. And since no one really knows (though we probably have a pretty good idea) exactly what the effect of the impact will be, its probably a good idea to hit one that has very little chance of hitting the earth; at least until the science of moving asteroids is perfected.

 

It is an interesting experiment regardless. The data gathered would be of great interest in the event an asteroid that will impact the earth is discovered. Certainly the impact would also yeild additional valuable scientific information regarding the composition of asteroids.

[Airbrush]

The Russian said no nukes will be used but they will send a "special purpose" spacecraft. Apophis will fly by in 2029, so we have 19 years to plan and deploy something. It will be a great chance to experiment with methods of deflection. It is 885 feet in diameter. If it did impact Earth how fast will it be moving? depends upon the angle? what kind of kinetic energy would that impact be in megatons? Will it explode in the air?

 

Wikipedia on Apophis: "As of October 7, 2009, the impact probability for April 13, 2036, is calculated as 1 in 250,000. An additional impact date in 2037 was also identified; the impact probability for that encounter is calculated as 1 in 12.3 million.

 

"Many scientists agree that Apophis warrants closer scrutiny. To that end, in February 2008 the Planetary Society awarded $50,000 in prize money to companies and students who submitted designs for space probes that would put a tracking device on or near the asteroid. Several other groups have studied or plan to study missions to Apophis."

Edited January 3, 2010 by Airbrush

[Airbrush]

Correction, wiki just told me Apophis is about 1,100 feet long and may come as close to us as 23,000 miles. The density is unknown, maybe iron or stoney, or something softer?