In 2029, the asteroid Apophis—also known as the “God of Chaos”—will pass by Earth at an unprecedentedly close distance, potentially undergoing significant transformations as a result. A new study by scientists from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory suggests that Earth’s gravitational forces could cause tremors and landslides on Apophis, altering its appearance. This research, currently available on the preprint server arXiv, is pending publication in The Planetary Science Journal. Apophis, a 340-meter-long, peanut-shaped asteroid, was discovered in 2004, and its trajectory has been closely monitored since. In 2021, astronomers recalculated its orbit and significantly reduced the probability of a collision with Earth. Apophis is set to approach Earth on April 13, 2029, at a distance of just 32,000 kilometers—closer than some artificial satellites. While this proximity poses no threat to Earth, scientists are curious about how Apophis itself might be affected. Johns Hopkins astronomer Ronald-Louis Ballouz explains that asteroids passing near planets often exhibit little evidence of space weathering. This could be due to gravitational forces exposing deeper, unweathered layers of the asteroid’s surface. To investigate, researchers created computer models of Apophis based on data from other asteroids. These simulations suggest that two primary processes may occur during its flyby: seismic vibrations and rotational changes. Vibrations could begin an hour before Apophis reaches its closest point to Earth, persisting afterward. These tremors might lift boulders from the surface, forming distinct patterns visible to spacecraft. Additionally, rotational changes could destabilize Apophis’s surface, triggering landslides. These processes, Ballouz notes, could shed light on how close planetary encounters affect small celestial bodies. Astronomers eagerly await NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX mission, which is expected to validate these theories. This repurposed spacecraft will study Apophis for 18 months, gathering data on its composition and surface characteristics. The post Asteroid Apophis Could Break Apart During Earth Flyby in 2029 appeared first on Anomalien.com.

It may not have the action of Resident Evil, the customization options of Dead Space, or the unyielding tension of Alien: Isolation, but Silent Hill 2 - the 2001 original - is the greatest horror game of all time. In fact, it’s more than a horror game. It’s a spiritual journey. It’s the story of James Sunderland, Angela, and Eddie venturing to the darkest recesses of their own souls, and then fighting to get back out. Silent Hill 2 Remake pays homage to Konami’s superlative OG in dozens of different ways, but there’s one mystery, seemingly linked to the 2001 game, that’s plagued players since October. Now it’s finally been solved - even Bloober Team’s own creative director confirms that it’s real - and depending on how you interpret it, it completely transforms SH2 Remake’s story. Continue reading Enormous Silent Hill 2 Remake mystery finally solved, Bloober confirms it’s real MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Silent Hill 2 remake system requirements, The best horror games, Silent Hill 2 remake review

The first few weeks of every Call of Duty game are filled with an ever-changing meta. The best guns, perks, and loadouts shift as things are nerfed and buffed, eventually leveling out as things, in theory, become more balanced. Black Ops 6 is no stranger to this, as one perk has already proved so overpowered and unfair that Treyarch is about to bring it back down to Earth. I'm of course talking about Recon, a brand new perk that essentially gives you brief wallhacks every time you respawn. Continue reading Call of Duty Black Ops 6 director confirms the most annoying perk will be nerfed MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Black Ops 6 guns, Black Ops 6 missions, Black Ops 6 loadouts

There were several moments of the League of Legends World finals that had me (and the rest of the cinema) stunned into dumbfounded silence. At the end of game one, T1 were looking pretty shaky, but by game two, they were back. Then it was a similar story for games three and four, bringing everything down to the wire with game five. In the middle of the fourth match, however, it felt like something stirred in Faker, who'd been having a relatively rough performance on Yone and Sylas. Something just clicked, and he just transformed into the Unkillable Demon King that we know and love. That toplane 1v1, that glorious midlane flank that effectively ended the series: all roads do, indeed, lead to Faker. Continue reading Following League of Legends Worlds 2024, Faker has more skins than 27 champions MORE FROM PCGAMESN: League of Legends ranks explained, League of Legends Mythic shop rotation, League of Legends tier list

Monday Morning Meme Madness

Baldurs Gate 3 continues to grow and evolve with new content in every patch, encouraging players to return to the game with new characters and take the world by storm.

Black Broadway 'Karen' Claims a White Actress Sending Flowers Is a Racist Microaggression

This statue of an Egyptian pharaoh is said to have inspired the English poet Shelley to write his famous poem "Ozymandias."

The President of the United States (at least officially) is campaigning hard for Kamala… to 150 people. “I’m asking for your support for Kamala and Tim Walz,” Biden told an admiring crowd of roughly…

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