SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is closely monitoring a significant asteroid named ‘Apophis’, which is on a trajectory that will bring it dangerously close to Earth. This asteroid, named after the Egyptian deity of chaos, is expected to make its nearest approach to our planet on April 13, 2029.
ISRO, in recent years, has expanded its focus to include planetary defense, a field dedicated to safeguarding Earth from potential threats posed by extraterrestrial objects. “A large asteroid strike is a real existential threat for humanity,” said an ISRO official. “Our Network for Space Objects Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) is monitoring Apophis very closely. India will cooperate with all nations to ward off this and other such future threats.”
Discovered in 2004, Apophis has been closely observed due to its Earth-crossing orbit. While there are concerns about a potential impact, studies suggest that the 2029 encounter is more likely to be a flyby.
At its closest approach, Apophis will come within approximately 32,000 kilometers of Earth. This proximity is significant, considering that India’s geostationary satellites orbit at a higher altitude. With an estimated diameter of 340 to 450 meters, Apophis is classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid due to its size and proximity to Earth.
ISRO estimates that an asteroid with a diameter exceeding 300 meters could cause “continental-scale devastation.” A larger asteroid, over 10 kilometers in diameter, could potentially lead to a mass extinction event.