What is the 'God of Chaos', an asteroid that could hit Earth? Why are experts worried?

Many asteroids pass close to Earth.

But the likelihood of some hitting the planet is quite rare.

According to new research published by The Planetary Science Journal, an asteroid known as the “God of Chaos” is likely to strike Earth in 2029.

This has raised concerns among astronomers about its potential impact on the planet.

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What is the “God of Chaos” asteroid?

99942 Apophis, or the “God of Chaos," is a 1,210-foot-wide near-Earth asteroid.

The name “Apophis” originates from the ancient Greek name of the Egyptian deity “Apep,” also spelt “Apepi” or “Aapep,” according to The Economic Times. He was revered as a god who represented chaos and stood in opposition to the universe’s light and order. Considered the most potent evil entity in Egyptian theology, he was linked to earthquakes, thunder, darkness, storms, and death.

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Apophis is classified as an S-type asteroid, which is composed of silicate materials mixed with nickel and iron. According to The Times of India, its shape resembles a “peanut.”

It will pass within 32,000 kilometres of Earth’s surface on April 13, 2029.

The asteroid was classified as level four on the Torino impact danger scale when it was first identified in 2004, as per Wion News. 0 indicates there is no possibility of collision, while 10 indicates “a collision is certain” and might result in a global climatic disaster.

This was the first asteroid given a four on the scale since Nasa began tracking potentially dangerous Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). Nasa described the rating as, “A close encounter, meriting attention by astronomers.”

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The enormous space rock comes closer to Earth once every 7,500 years, as per Hindustan Times.

When it was first discovered, experts said there was a 2.7 per cent chance it would strike Earth on the feared date.

Paul Wiegert, a Canadian astronomer and co-author of the paper, pointed out that even a “small object” striking the asteroid may significantly change this.

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How likely is a collision?

Wiegert, along with Benjamin Hyatt, tried to study what size object could change the trajectory of Apophis and put it on a route on which it might hit Earth.

They also looked at alternative collision scenarios, which might cause the asteroid to eventually head towards Earth after 2029.

According to the study, the “God of Chaos” might strike Earth at a later time and be caused by an object as small as 0.6 metres, or two feet, wide.

The asteroid needs to be around 3.4 metres (11.2 feet) in size to be placed on a collision path that leads directly towards Earth.

“The odds of an unseen small asteroid deflecting Apophis enough to direct it into a collision with Earth in 2029 are approximately 10-8," the study said.

“Given that only five per cent of such impulses are in the correct direction to generate an Earth impact, the overall probability of a small impact directing Apophis into a collision with the Earth is less than one in two billion.”

Even with favourable odds, there is still a chance of an impact.

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How to know if the asteroid has moved?

Wiegert believes we’ll have to wait three more years to find out if this has actually happened.

“An additional element of the story is that Apophis has been largely unmonitored by telescopes since May 2021 and will remain so through 2027,” he explained, according to Wion.

He said this is because “of the relative geometry of Apophis, Earth, and the Sun, which puts the asteroid in the daytime sky for the time span in question.”

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What is Nasa saying?

Following their exploration of the asteroid last year, the US space agency has also responded to this very likely situation.

They said, “The intrigue of Apophis is its exceptionally close approach to our planet on April 13, 2029.”

“Although Apophis will not hit Earth during this encounter or in the foreseeable future, the pass in 2029 will bring the asteroid within 32,000 kilometres of the surface – closer than some satellites, and close enough that it could be visible to the naked eye in the Eastern Hemisphere,” the agency said.

With inputs from agencies