A rare asteroid flyby will happen soon, but NASA may be left on the sidelines
10 months ago
- #Planetary Defense
- #NASA
- #Asteroid
- Apophis, a large asteroid, will narrowly pass Earth in April 2029, visible worldwide.
- NASA has a rare opportunity to study Apophis up close, aiding planetary defense research.
- Earth's gravitational pull on Apophis will help scientists study the asteroid's interior structure.
- Bobby Braun highlights the importance of this event for future planetary defense strategies.
- NASA's OSIRIS-Apex mission, the most promising option to study Apophis, faces cancellation in 2026.
- Other proposed missions, like Janus, have been rejected, leaving NASA with no current plans.
- Richard Binzel urges NASA to act, as the world anticipates this critical asteroid encounter.