NASA alert: Giant 'god of chaos' asteroid Apophis set to hit Earth? Check details

'God of chaos' asteroid Apophis

NASA is on high alert as a massive asteroid, named 99942 Apophis and dubbed the "God of Chaos," approaches Earth, with its closest pass expected on November 13. Measuring around 450 by 170 meters—roughly the size of New York's Empire State Building—Apophis could cause catastrophic destruction if it were to collide with Earth, with impacts equated to hundreds of nuclear bombs. Although scientists reassure that it will pass at a safe distance of about 19,000 miles, Apophis remains a significant point of concern.

Since its discovery in 2004, Apophis has captured the attention of astronomers and the public alike due to its potential threat. Classified as a "near-Earth object" (NEO), the asteroid will enter a region influenced by Earth’s gravitational pull, creating the possibility of intense surface vibrations, or "astroquakes," according to a research team led by asteroid scientist Ronald-Louis Ballouz. These astroquakes could trigger strong tremors on the asteroid’s surface, altering its structure and trajectory.

Though space is teeming with such celestial objects, Apophis is particularly notable due to its size and proximity. NASA’s Near-Earth Object Studies Center has closely monitored it for nearly two decades, affirming that it poses no imminent collision threat for at least the next century. However, Apophis serves as a reminder of the mysterious and often hazardous nature of space, keeping scientists vigilant about potential future impacts from asteroids of this scale.