Evolution of Apophis Orbit for 1000 Years
and New Space Targets
J. J. Smulsky1, Ya. J. Smulsky2
1Institute of Earth's Cryosphere of RAS, Tyumen, Russia
2Institute of Thermophysics of RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
Abstract:
Analysis of publications establishes that the uncertainty of trajectories of Apophis are caused by imperfections in the methods of its determination. The differential equations of motion of Apophis, planets, the Moon, and the Sun are integrated by new numerical methods and the evolution of the asteroid orbit is investigated. Apophis will pass by the Earth at a distance of 6.1 Earth radii on April 13th, 2029. It will be its closest approach to Earth during the next 1000 years. The possibility of transforming Apophis' orbit to an Earth satellite orbit that could be used for various tasks, is considered.
Key words:
Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), Near Earth Objects (NEOs), evolution of Apophis orbit, new space targets, uncertainty of Apophis trajectories, imperfections in determination methods, differential equations, new numerical methods, Apophis' closest approach to Earth, transforming Apophis' orbit to an Earth satellite orbit.