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Journal of Computational Astronomy & Astronomical Computing (JCAAC)

JAAC 2, 21-59 (2025)

Asteroide Apophis, el destructor

 J. C. Terradillos, Aula de Astronomía de Fuenlabrada, Madrid, Spain
 jcterradillos@gmail.com

Resumen
Este artículo aborda el asteroide (99942) Apophis, descubierto en 2004, cuyo potencial riesgo de colisión con la Tierra ha captado la atención de la comunidad científica desde entonces. Su próximo acercamiento, el 13 de abril de 2029, lo llevará a aproximadamente 29000 km de la superficie terrestre, situándolo por debajo de la órbita de los satélites geoestacionarios. Además de describir las características principales de Apophis y contextualizar el peligro que representan asteroides de este tipo para la Tierra, analizamos en detalle los cálculos sobre la distancia mínima a la que pasará y exploramos las misiones espaciales en curso y en desarrollo destinadas a estudiar este objeto potencialmente peligroso.

Abstract
This article discusses the asteroid (99942) Apophis, discovered in 2004, whose potential risk of collision with Earth has captured the attention of the scientific community ever since. Its next approach, on April 13, 2029, will bring it to approximately 29000 km from Earth’s surface, placing it below the orbit of geostationary satellites. In addition to describing Apophis’ main characteristics and contextualizing the threat posed by such asteroids to Earth, we thoroughly analyze the calculations regarding its minimum passing distance and explore ongoing and developing space missions aimed at studying this potentially hazardous object.




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The Journal of Computational Astronomy & Astronomical Computing is an effort by the FAAE - Grupo de Cálculo Astronómico (GCA) to encourage the use of software tools and the development of codes and algorithms for astronomical applications within the framework of amateur astronomy, as well as to connect the amateur community with the professional astronomy community and promote cross-collaboration and ProAm projects between both groups.