Merged Apophis Topics

[MeteorWayne]

There is no risk of a lunar collision with either the 2029 or 2036 events, that possibility has been examined.

[R1]

Do some asteroids have magnetic properties ?

If we have not measured it yet, is it possible that Apophis does have magnetic properties ?

[MeteorWayne]

AFAIK, we've never been close enough with the right instuments to measure that (remember, we've only been close to a half dozen asteroids)

Certainly they would not have a dynamo creating a magnetic field, and anything other than an iron would probably not be able to susteain magnetism.

An interesting question, but I think we'll have to wait a few decades for firm answers.

[R1]

If it hits the north Pacific Ocean on friday the 13th [part 2], then that means that the time at the
eastern states of the U.S. will either be close to noon or close to midnight, correct ?

I also wonder, if it hits the north Pacific Ocean, it means that it will hit near the international date line,
or whatever it is called, right ? So, if this is true, are the countries on one side of the date line
actually saying right now that a possiblity exists that Apophis could strike the earth on thursday the 12th ?

What a strange landing site..

[R1]

Is there a time (a long time ago) when Apophis had another close approach to Earth?

[MeteorWayne]

Nothing anywhere near as close as the 2029/2036 pair. 2029 will be about 1/10 lunar distance (LD).

It came about 100 times further away (~ 10 x LD) in 1907,1949, and 1998 within the last century....I'm not sure if anyone has calculated distances further back in time.