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99942 Apophis (provisional designation 2004 MN 4) is a near-Earth asteroid and a potentially hazardous object, 450 metres (1,480 ft) by 170 metres (560 ft) in size, [3] that caused a brief period of concern in December 2004 when initial observations indicated a probability of 2.7% that it would hit Earth on Friday, April 13, 2029.
Roy A. Tucker (1951 – 2021) was an American astronomer best known for the co-discovery of near-Earth asteroid 99942 Apophis (formerly known as 2004 MN 4) along with David J. Tholen and Fabrizio Bernardi of the University of Hawaii. [2]
The asteroid, previously known as 99942, is estimated to be around 1,100 feet wide and was only discovered in 2004. At the time, Apophis was thought to be on a trajectory toward Earth.
99942 Apophis: 0.3: June 19, 2004: First asteroid to rank greater than one on the Torino Scale (it was ranked at 2, then 4; now down to 0). Previously better known by its provisional designation 2004 MN 4. 152830 Dinkinesh I Selam: 0.22: November 1, 2023: First satellite discovered to be a contact-binary (433953) 1997 XR 2: 0.23: December 4, 1997
Yes, astronomers point to asteroid 99942 Apophis, 1,099 feet wide and first identified in 2004. According to NASA officials, at the time of its initial sighting, Apophis was one of the most ...
Astronomer Paul Wiegert had found a scenario in which Apophis could be sent careening into Earth in 2029. ... which was initially believed to pose a serious threat to Earth upon its discovery in 2004.
David Tholen and Roy Tucker, co-discovers of 99942 Apophis, are both fans of the TV series Stargate SG-1, which influenced the naming of the asteroid. The show's most persistent villain is "Apophis", an alien also named for the Egyptian god. "We considered a number of names, but 'Apophis' kept floating to the top," says Tucker.
Fabrizio Bernardi (born 1972) is an Italian astronomer and discoverer of minor planets and comets, best known for the co-discovery of the near-Earth and potentially hazardous asteroid 99942 Apophis. [2]