HW_ScienceNOW Kyle Campo
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Temple University *
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Course
0836
Subject
Astronomy
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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Uploaded by BaronTurtle15518
EES 0836
ScienceNOW Apophis
Disasters: Geology vs. Hollywood
Introduction
As we discussed in class, there is still unused planetary material out in space. While we haven't found all
material (and we don’t expect to), what we have found in space are objects that, based on their orbits, will
not impact Earth. But there are a few, like Apophis, that we are watching closely because they might be a
problem for us in the future
.
Learning Objectives
●
Describe how scientific knowledge helps in forecasting possible impacts.
(1, a, b)
●
Discuss how science shapes policy aimed at preventing future impact events.
(2, a, b)
Part 1:
Watch the short video
.
As you are watching the video, look for the answers to the following questions
.
1.
What is Apophis? How big is it?
Apophis is an asteroid that became famous for the chance that it would hit the Earth. It’s said to
be larger than 1000 feet.
2.
What is a “shooting star”
?
A shooting star is a meteor
3.
At the end of the Cretaceous period (66 million years ago) a large asteroid hit Earth, causing a
mass extinction. How big was the asteroid, and where did it hit?
The asteroid touched down in the Yucatan peninsula, and it’s believed to be comparable to the
size of Mount Everest,
4.
Is it possible for Apophis to impact Earth? If so, when?
It will not hit for the next century according to the most recent information, but still could one
day
5.
Was this date guaranteed, or was more information necessary to accurately predict the date of
impact? What is this revised year?
In 2036 it is possible that Apophis could hit us if it enters the “keyhole” in 2029
6.
What would be the effect if it were to impact a continent?
It could destroy several counties and large cities
7.
Why would it be worse if it impacts the ocean?
There would be a giant tsunami
EES 0836
8.
There were two possible dates for Apophis to hit the Earth. Do you think that NASA’s revision of
the possible impact date throws future predictions into question? Or does it reflect the nature of
science, in that with more information, better predictions can be made? Explain your answer. (1
paragraph)
With the scientific method, nothing is ever a complete known fact. When Apophis passes in 2029
we will learn whether it actually does pass through the keyhole or not, but it is possible for
Apophis to miss it completely and possibly never hit us. Science can not predict the future, but
can only try to rationalize hypotheses.
9.
In your opinion, what should we as a nation do to protect ourselves from the possibility of a
future impact? (1 paragraph)
Protecting anything from an asteroid is extremely difficult. As stated in the video, one could not
just ram a missile or spacecraft into an asteroid to stop it. In a way it
’s similar to the
famous Oregon beached whale news story filmed by KATU, where attempting to explode a whale and
launch it back into the ocean only made it explode to land on bystanders and cars. I think the best way of
protecting ourselves from an asteroid would be a device to mount onto the rock and then have jets propel
the object away before it enters the atmosphere, but that sounds more like science fiction.
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