On the Problem of Orbit Correction for the Near-Earth (99942) Asteroid Apophis

摘要

In this study, we investigate the problem of asteroid danger as applied to the asteroid Apophis. In 2029, this asteroid will fly very close to the Earth without a collision. However, at the existing level of calculating the asteroid orbit, collision with the Earth, in principle, is possible in 2036. With allowance for the energy liberated as a result of this collision (~800 Mt of trinitrotoluene (TNT)), we can conclude that this collision would be very dangerous for the Earth. Therefore, the problem of preventing this collision is rather urgent for modern science and technology. In particular, the collisional orbit of the asteroid Apophis can be corrected to deflect it from the Earth in 2036.