Isro tracks giant asteroid that will come 'very close' to Earth in 2029

Isro is monitoring a large asteroid that is expected to come very close to Earth in 2029. Asteroid 99942 Apophis, nicknamed the ‘God of Chaos’, is set to pass remarkably close to Earth on April 13, 2029, at a distance of just 20,000 miles (32,000 km) — closer than many geostationary satellites, which are parked in a geo orbit of 36,000km altitude from the Earth’s surface. Apophis is the Greek name of Apep, an enemy of the Ancient Egyptian Sun God Ra.

At 32,000 km above Earth, no other asteroid of this size has ever come so close to our planet. Such close approaches are useful for planetary defence researchers.

Isro is using its Network for Space Objects Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) to keep a constant eye on Apophis. ‘NETRA’ is India’s indigenously-developed early warning system in space to detect debris and other hazards to Indian satellites. It has given the country its own capability in Space Situational Awareness like other space powers US and Russia.

Originally discovered in 2004 by Roy A Tucker, David J Tholen and Fabrizio Bernardi at the Kitt Peak National Observatory, Apophis gained key attention due to initial concerns about a potential collision in 2029. With a diameter of approximately 1,100 feet (335 metres), it was classified as one of the most dangerous near-Earth objects. However, continuous tracking and high-resolution radar mapping from Nasa’s Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex and Green Bank Telescope have since ruled out any immediate threat.

Apophis is an S-type asteroid composed of silicate materials with nickel and iron, and it has a peanut-like shape that adds to its scientific intrigue. On average, an asteroid the size of Apophis (370 metres) is expected to impact Earth once in about 80,000 years.

Nasa is also keeping a close watch on Apophis and will provide regular updates in 2029 on its trajectory through official channels. Apophis’s close encounter with the Earth, though safe, is an exceptional event in space science, giving space scientists and enthusiasts a unique opportunity to study near-Earth objects up close.

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