Apophis T–9 Years: Knowledge Opportunities for the Science of Planetary Defense : November 4–6, 2020

Abstract

Explores the dynamical details and corresponding science opportunities presented by the April 13, 2029 near-miss passage of the asteroid Apophis. Knowledge is the first line of planetary defense, and the 2029 Apophis encounter is a once-per-thousand-year opportunity for investigating an asteroid as large as 350 meters passing within 6 Earth-radii. Time is of the essence as we have less than a decade to plan Earth-based and possible in-situ missions whose measurements can deliver unprecedented detailed knowledge on the physical nature of Apophis as the prototype example (poster child) of potentially hazardous asteroids.