TAG: GS-3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CONTEXT: The European Space Agency (ESA) has begun preliminary planning for a mission to explore a giant asteroid called Apophis, officially known as Asteroid (99942). The Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Security (RAMSES) mission is designed to reach Apophis in February 2029.
EXPLANATION:
About Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (RAMSES):
- It is a planetary defence mission of the European Space Agency (ESA).
- It will intercept the asteroid 99942 Apophis and accompany it through its safe but exceptionally close flyby of Earth in 2029.
- Apophis was discovered in 2004 and is about 340 metres (1,115 feet) in diameter.
-
- Roughly 375 m across, Apophis will pass within 32,000 km from Earth’s surface on 13 April 2029.
- It will be the closest approach of an asteroid of this size that humankind has ever known about in advance.
- Apophis will miss Earth. Astronomers have ruled out any chance that the asteroid will collide with our planet for at least the next 100 years.
- Researchers will study the asteroid as Earth’s gravity alters its physical characteristics.
- Their findings will improve our ability to defend our planet from any similar object found to be on a collision course in the future.
- RAMSES will work in synergy with the NASA mission OSIRIS-APEX that will arrive at Apophis a few days after the closest approach of the asteroid to the Earth, allowing a comparison of the asteroid properties measured by the two missions.
Connection to Ancient Mythology:
- The names Ramses and Osiris-Apex have roots in Egyptian mythology. Apophis, in Egyptian lore, symbolizes a force of darkness trying to consume the sun god, Re. These missions, in a sense, represent humanity’s attempt to “conquer” a dangerous space object, just as Re fought to overcome Apophis in the myths.
Why are Asteroids a Threat?
- Asteroids are ancient pieces left over from when the Solar System formed. Many are located in the asteroid belt, but some are closer to Earth. Earth is at constant risk from these objects, especially from the 35,000 or so near-Earth objects (NEOs). Of these, about 2,300 are large enough and close enough to be considered “potentially hazardous.”
- Large asteroids have impacted Earth in the past, leading to major extinction events. For instance, scientists believe an asteroid impact 66 million years ago was a significant factor in the extinction of the dinosaurs. A collision with a giant asteroid would release massive energy, potentially as much as several nuclear explosions.
Source:
Spread the Word
