KLD2
Keynote (SB): Asteroid Apophis 2029 Encounter: A Once-per-Millennium Opportunity for the Science of Planetary Defense
MON-OB1 |
Mon, 08 Sep, 08:55–09:20 (EEST) Room Jupiter (Hall A)
Mon, 08:55
Abstract
Asteroid (99942) Apophis will make an extremely close but completely safe passage by the Earth on 13 April 2029, passing closer than orbiting geosynchronous satellites. The world will be watching. More than two billion people in western Europe and Africa will have the opportunity to see with their own unaided eyes the 340-meter (Eiffel Tower-sized) Apophis asteroid passing overhead as a faint star. Such a close 0.1 lunar distance (6 Earth-radii) passage of such a large asteroid is an extremely rare celestial event, occurring once-per-thousand years, or less often. With many parallels to the transformative knowledge gained through dedicated investigation of the 1994 Comet Shoemaker-Levy-9 Jupiter impact, planetary scientists see the 2029 Apophis encounter as a rare "natural experiment" and unique science opportunity. By measuring how the Apophis asteroid responds to the strong gravitational and tidal forces exerted by Earth as it safely passes, we may obtain revealing evidence for the deep interior structure of a potentially hazardous asteroid. Such findings could be some of humanity's most valuable knowledge gained from space exploration if any large asteroid were ever confirmed as an actual threat to Earth. The unprecedented 2029 Apophis opportunity is therefore a defining moment for "planetary defense as applied planetary science," requiring and receiving broad international support for collaborative in situ and Earth-based investigations.