TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: NASA has recently initiated a mission to intercept Apophis using the OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft.
EXPLANATION:
- This spacecraft, formerly known as OSIRIS-REx, completed a seven-year mission aimed at collecting samples from the Bennu asteroid in September.
- Repurposed for the Apophis mission, OSIRIS-APEX’s objective is to study and analyze any alterations caused by Earth’s gravitational forces during the asteroid’s close encounter in 2029.
Background and Significance of Apophis
- Apophis, referred to as the ‘God of Chaos’ asteroid, is a substantial celestial object measuring approximately 1,000 feet in width.
- Initially discovered in 2004, this near-Earth asteroid has attracted significant attention due to its close proximity to Earth’s orbit, specifically its anticipated flyby on April 13, 2029.
- Named after an ancient Egyptian deity, Apophis has stirred interest due to its potential impacts on Earth’s orbit, length of day, and geological consequences.
Objectives and Scientific Goals
- The mission’s principal investigator highlighted the significance of Apophis’s approach as a unique scientific opportunity.
- By descending to within 16 feet of the asteroid’s surface and utilizing its thrusters to disturb rocks and dust, OSIRIS-APEX aims to provide insight into the asteroid’s composition and structure.
- This close observation will enable scientists to explore the foundational processes of planetary formation, including tidal forces and the accumulation of debris that contribute to planet formation in the early solar system.
Implications and Potential Outcomes
- The close encounter between Apophis and Earth in 2029 is anticipated to alter Apophis’s orbit and may have implications for Earth’s geology.
- Scientists expect this event to shed light on geological phenomena such as landslides and seismic activities on the asteroid’s surface.
- Furthermore, it presents an opportunity to study the role of such encounters in the formation and evolution of celestial bodies, offering insights into the early stages of planetary formation.
Importance of the Mission
- NASA’s mission to intercept Apophis holds immense scientific importance, providing a rare chance to observe and analyze the effects of a close celestial encounter on an asteroid of significant size.
- The data gathered from this mission will contribute to our understanding of planetary evolution, debris accumulation in the early solar system, and potential hazards posed by near-Earth objects.
Conclusion
- NASA’s deployment of the OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft for the mission to intercept Apophis represents a groundbreaking scientific endeavour.
- The close observation and analysis of the ‘God of Chaos’ asteroid during its 2029 flyby offer a unique opportunity to unravel the mysteries of celestial objects, planetary formation, and their impacts on the solar system’s evolution.
- This mission stands as a testament to humanity’s pursuit of knowledge about the cosmos and its dynamic forces.