Apophis, ‘God of Destruction’ is set to skim Earth's orbit; Why scientists are watching closely

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

2029, the asteroid Apophis will make a close approach to Earth, coming within 20,000 miles of our planet. This encounter will be one of the closest ever recorded for an asteroid of this size, surpassing the distance of geostationary satellites. On April 13, 2029—a Friday the 13th—Apophis will be visible from the Eastern Hemisphere, including parts of Europe, Africa, and Western Asia. It will appear as a bright streak across the sky, resembling a fast-moving star.

What is Apophis?

Apophis is a remnant from the early solar system, formed around 4.6 billion years ago in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It has been significantly influenced by the gravitational forces of large planets like Jupiter. Its name derives from the ancient Egyptian god of disorder and chaos, reflecting the potential havoc such an asteroid could wreak. Apophis is named after the demon serpent who personified evil and chaos, symbolizing the potential danger posed by its impact.

Apophis' Safety Assessment

Despite its close proximity, Apophis poses no threat to Earth. Initially identified as a hazardous asteroid after its discovery in 2004, recent observations have ruled out any risk of impact in 2029. «While the risk of it impacting Earth during its 2029 flyby rose as high as 2.7%, Apophis has since been removed from NASA’s Sentry Impact Risk Table,» thanks to precise orbit analysis and radar observations in March 2021, NASA confirmed.

What would happen if Apophis hits Earth?

If the asteroid Apophis were to strike Earth, the impact