IMPACT of asteroid that will approach Earth in 2029 ‘CANNOT be ruled out’

Astronomers have calculated the Apophis asteroid will speed past Earth on April 13, 2029, at just 18,600 miles away – a hair’s width in astronomical terms. To put that into perspective, the moon is 238,900 miles away.

Due to the close proximity in which the giant space rock will pass, scientists believe the near-miss will alter the asteroid’s orbit, which could lead it to collide with Earth in the future.

If the 27 billion kg asteroid were to hit Earth, scientists calculate that it would leave a crater over a mile wide and a staggering 518 metres deep.

However, most worryingly, the impact would be equivalent to 880 million tons of TNT being detonated – some 65,000 times as powerful as the nuclear bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima.