ISRO Warning: Massive asteroid with 'continental scale devastation' risk approaching earth
planetary defense.
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«A large asteroid strike is a real existential threat for humanity. ISRO is very aware of this risk, and we are monitoring Apophis very closely,» Dr. Somanath said in an interview. «We have only one Earth, and India is committed to cooperating with other nations to ward off any such future threats.»
Apophis: A Close Encounter
Apophis, first discovered in 2004, is expected to pass just 32,000 kilometers from Earth during its 2029 flyby, a distance closer than many of our geostationary satellites. Measuring between 340 and 450 meters in diameter, this asteroid is larger than India's largest aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, and the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
According to ISRO's estimates, any object of Apophis’s size poses a serious risk. «Asteroids larger than 300 meters have the potential to cause continental-scale devastation,» Dr. Somanath explained. In a worst-case scenario, a collision with an asteroid of this magnitude could lead to catastrophic consequences, including mass extinction.
Preparing For Impact
ISRO is actively involved in preparing for such potential threats. Dr. A K Anil Kumar, who leads NETRA, added that a collision with an asteroid like Apophis could cause “global disruption.” He cited a historical precedent: the Lonar Crater in Maharashtra, created by a meteor strike over 500,000 years ago, serves as a
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