At an international workshop on Asteroid Day 2024, ISRO Chairperson said that ISRO is looking to study asteroid Apophis when it is 32,000 km away from Earth in 2029 to prepare for planetary defense efforts.

About Asteroid Apophis

• Discovered in 2004, it is a near-Earth object (NEO) and was identified as one of the most hazardous asteroids that could impact Earth.
  • There are billions of comets and asteroids in our solar system. The vast majority never approach Earth. When a comet or asteroid’s orbit brings it close to Earth, it is classified NEO.
• However, a radar observation campaign in March 2021, combined with precise orbit analysis, allowed astronomers to conclude that there is no risk of Apophis impacting our planet for at least a century.

Planetary Defense                                                      

• It refers to efforts and strategies aimed at protecting Earth from potential impacts by NEOs such as asteroids and comets.
  • It involves multiple strategies including detection, tracking, impact assessment, deflection, etc.
• Need of Planetary Defense: If NEOs path intersects with that of Earth’s orbit, then depending on their size, speed, angle and impact region, could threaten billions of lives on impact and in the ensuing tsunamis, earthquakes and fires.