Historic Flyby of ‘God of Darkness’ Asteroid Apophis: A New Cosmic Journey for OSIRIS-APEX

In a thrilling turn of events, the spacecraft formerly OSIRIS-REx was rebranded as OSIRIS-APEX and set on an unprecedented mission to explore the enigmatic asteroid Apophis. Name taken from the ancient Egyptian god of darkness, this asteroid’s upcoming flyby of Earth in 2029 promises to be a monumental event unseen since recorded history began.

• OSIRIS-APEX: A New Mission Unfolds

After a successful seven-year, four billion-mile journey collecting samples from asteroid Bennu, OSIRIS-REx’s mission was extended. With its instruments in top condition and plenty of fuel left, NASA decided to repurpose the spacecraft for a new mission: exploring Apophis. This decision marks a significant progression in the spacecraft’s journey as it transitions from Bennu’s carbon-rich terrain to Apophis, an S-type asteroid composed of silicate materials and nickel-iron.

• Apophis: An Unprecedented Close Encounter

Approximately 367 yards (340 meters) across Apophis will pass within 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) of Earth on April 13, 2029. This distance is closer than some satellites, allowing naked-eye visibility in the Eastern Hemisphere. Close approaches to large asteroids are rare, happening only once every 7,500 years.

• Mission Objectives and Scientific Significance

OSIRIS-APEX’s primary objective is to study Apophis immediately after its close pass by Earth. Scientists like Amy Simon from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center are keen to observe surface changes caused by Earth’s gravitational interaction. This natural experiment allows us to understand tidal forces and rubble pile accumulation, which are fundamental processes in planet formation.

Principal investigator Dani Mendoza DellaGiustina highlights that this mission could provide critical insights into planetary defense research, as Apophis represents a class of potentially hazardous asteroids.

• Timeline and Key Activities

By April 2, 2029, OSIRIS-APEX will begin imaging Apophis, taking advantage of its unique vantage point. Earth-based telescopes will also observe the asteroid, but ground-based optical telescopes cannot track Apophis once it nears the Sun after the flyby.

Upon reaching Apophis on April 13, 2029, OSIRIS-APEX will operate near the asteroid for about 18 months. It will map the surface, analyze its chemical composition, and perform a close maneuver to stir up rocks and dust, revealing the materials beneath.

• Legacy and Future Discoveries

OSIRIS-APEX’s mission to Apophis builds on the success of its predecessor’s mission to Bennu. Launched in 2016, OSIRIS-REx made history by collecting samples from Bennu, which could revolutionize our understanding of the solar system and the origins of life. Now, back on Earth, these samples hold clues to the early solar system and the building blocks of life.

• Conclusion

As OSIRIS-APEX prepares for its historic encounter with Apophis, the scientific community eagerly anticipates future discoveries. This mission continues the legacy of OSIRIS-REx and ventures into new realms of knowledge, offering profound insights into the formative processes of our solar system and enhancing our understanding of asteroid dynamics and planetary defense.

By:- Ranjan

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