Asteroid News: Apophis headed towards Earth – astronomers predict EXTREME 2068 explosion - Daily Express

Astronomer Dave Tholen and his colleagues have confirmed the detection of a small Yarkovsky acceleration on the surface of the asteroid.

The Yarkovsky effect is when an asteroid or celestial body changes its orbit due to small push of heat.

According to Mr Tholan, the chances the Apophis will strike Earth in 2068 are one in in 530,000.

“The new observations we obtained with the Subaru telescope earlier this year were good enough to reveal the Yarkovsky acceleration of Apophis, and they show that the asteroid is drifting away from a purely gravitational orbit by about 170 metres per year, which is enough to keep the 2068 impact scenario in play.”.

"Prior to the detection of Yarkovsky acceleration on Apophis, astronomers had concluded that a potential impact with Earth in 2068 was impossible.

"The detection of this effect acting on Apophis means that the 2068 impact scenario is still a possibility.

"Further observations to refine the amplitude of the Yarkovksy effect and how it affects Apophis' orbit are underway.