Giant Asteroid Apophis Approaching Earth: Will pass by Earth in April 2029, also known as the God of Chaos

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has reported that a 335 meter long asteroid is heading towards Earth. The name of this asteroid is Apophis, which was discovered in 2004. Asteroid Apophis will pass close to Earth on 13 April 2029. During this period, its minimum distance from Earth will be 32 thousand km. However, currently the American space agency NASA has ruled out the possibility of its collision with Earth. When Apophis passes close to Earth, NASA's OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft will study it. This asteroid is also known as the Egyptian god 'God of Chaos'. Asteroid Apophis, previously predicted to collide in 2029, was discovered in 2004 by America's Kitt Peak National Observatory. Then there was a possibility that it would collide with Earth in 2029. Its size is approximately 335 meters i.e. 1100 feet. It is counted among the most dangerous near-Earth objects. Later continuous tracking and high-resolution radar data from Goldstone Deep Space Communications and The Greek Bank Telescope helped map its orbit. After this the risks associated with it are reduced. Apophis is an S type asteroid. It is made of silicate material, mixed with nickel and iron. Its peanut-like shape attracts scientists to study it. ISRO is also tracking ISRO has added a new domain to protect Earth from asteroids and other objects present in space. It has been named Planetary Defense. Speaking to NDTV, ISRO Chairman S Somnath said that our Network for Space Object Tracking (NETRA) system is continuously monitoring Apophis. Somnath said that India will cooperate with other countries of the world to counter any external threat. The ISRO chief said that any large asteroid strike is a threat to the existence of the entire humanity. We have only one earth to live on.

Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).