There is an impending threat of a massive asteroid collision with Earth. In response, major countries worldwide are already preparing, including India. ISRO Chief Dr. S. Somanath has also expressed his concerns about this asteroid, describing it as extremely dangerous.
In an interview, Dr. Somanath mentioned that the extinction of humanity is a possibility if a massive asteroid hits Earth. ISRO is currently keeping a constant watch on this asteroid, tracking it through the Network for Space Objects Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) project. This hazardous asteroid is named Apophis.
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Source: aajtak
Apophis is comparable to three football stadiums, INS Vikramaditya, or the world's largest Narendra Modi cricket stadium in Motera. It was discovered in 2004. Scientists suspect it might collide with Earth, although the chances are very slim. However, scientists are not ruling out the possibility of a collision.
Just five years away from a close encounter with Earth
The Apophis asteroid is 1230 feet wide, roughly the size of three and a half football fields. It could potentially collide with Earth in 2068. But before that, it will pass close to Earth twice. The first pass will be on April 13, 2029, just 32,000 kilometers away—a distance closer than many geostationary satellites. The second pass will be in 2036.
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Source: aajtak
ISRO estimates that if a 300-meter-wide asteroid collides with Earth, it could devastate the entire continent of Asia. The impact zone would lead to mass destruction within a 20-kilometer radius, annihilating all life forms.
How did it veer toward Earth?
Let's understand how an asteroid, previously orbiting safely, suddenly turned toward Earth. When a space rock alters its course slightly due to the Sun's heat, it's called the Yarkovsky effect. This effect changes the asteroid's direction and speed, making it a threat to incoming space objects.
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Source: aajtak
Will it definitely hit or not?
Scientists from ISRO, NASA, and the European Space Agency are assessing the path, speed, and potential damage of asteroid Apophis. They have calculated that the chance of it hitting Earth is once in 150,000 years. However, more accurate predictions will be available after its flyby in 2029 when it will pass just 32,000 kilometers from Earth.
