Wide Angle: Asteroid Apophis

Rogue asteroids could wipe out much of life on Earth, and incoming Apophis may be the first to force humanity's hand

Cosmic Consequences

asteroid impact earth rogue asteroid apophis

Don't want one of these landing in your backyard? Find out what scientists are doing to avert disaster in this Wide Angle on Asteroid Apophis (and its rogue space rock pals). Credit: NASA

Rogue asteroids and comets populate the solar system far and wide, but the most impending threat to our fragile planet is a building-sized space rock called Apophis.

The chances that this 23,000-ton near-Earth object will whack us in the year 2029 (or 2036, if it missed the first time) are incredibly slim -- but a less forgiving asteroid could be just around the cosmic bend.

In this Discovery Space Wide Angle, we explore the technologies that could divert asteroids, peek at the nastiest space rocks out there and ponder how humanity might blow a deflection (even with the best tools at its disposal).

News: Incoming Asteroid Under Close Watch
Asteroid Apophis is set to swing by Earth 20 years from today, on Friday April 13, 2029. Are we ready? Discovery News reports.
Top 10: Asteroid-Stopping Technologies
Can nuking an asteroid -- or simply painting one -- really save planet Earth? HowStuffWorks.com investigates.
Interview: Protecting Earth from Asteroids
Former astronaut and anti-asteroid advocate Rusty Schweickart spills the beans on an incoming space rock's most unpredictable factor: humanity itself.
Slide Show: Asteroids & Near-Earth Objects
Get up-close-and-personal with our 10 favorite space rocks floating around in the solar system, some of which may impact Earth.
Video: Ancient Tsunami Caused by Asteroid
An asteroid likely sent an ancient tsunami barrelling toward what is now known as New York City. Jorge Ribas explains.

Got something to say? E-mail your questions, comments or concerns to discoveryspace@discovery.com.

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