NASA Probe Sends Back Breathtaking Earth and Moon Photos En Route to Asteroid Apophis
WASHINGTON – NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft has captured stunning images of Earth and the moon during its journey to study the near-Earth asteroid Apophis, providing a captivating glimpse of our planet from deep space. The images, taken around nine hours after the spacecraft’s closest approach to Earth on Sept. 23, 2025, when it was approximately 142,000 miles (228,000 km) away, showcase Earth as a vibrant blue sphere and the moon in striking detail.
The mission represents a unique opportunity to gather crucial data about Apophis,a near-Earth asteroid that will make a close approach to our planet in 2029. While scientists have persistent apophis poses no significant impact threat,studying its behavior during this close encounter will provide invaluable insights into the composition and response of asteroids to gravitational forces – knowledge that could be vital for planetary defense in the future. The OSIRIS-APEX mission builds upon the success of the OSIRIS-REx mission, which previously collected a sample from asteroid Bennu and is now delivering it back to Earth.
The Earth images were captured using the spacecraft’s MapCam imager, equipped with red, green, and blue filters, and stowcam, which verifies the safe storage of the asteroid samples collected from Bennu. As the mission progresses, OSIRIS-APEX will continue to transmit trajectory updates and conduct instrument checks before focusing on Apophis.
Scientists anticipate that OSIRIS-APEX will deliver the first up-close views of Apophis,furthering our understanding of near-Earth asteroids and their potential impact on our planet. The data collected will contribute to ongoing efforts to refine asteroid tracking and develop strategies for mitigating potential future threats.
