Nasa says earth safe from a dangerous asteroid for 100 years
Close calls were expected in 2029 and 2036, but were later ruled out
All the living beings of the earth has exhaled a collective sigh of relief after Nasa, the US space agency, declared the world "safe" from a once-feared asteroid, Apophis, for at least the next 100 years.
After its discovery in 2004, Nasa named Apophis as one of the most threatening asteroids to Earth, reports the BBC.
Close calls were expected in 2029 and 2036, but were later ruled out. However, for the year 2068, there was still a slight chance.
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However, a new study of the asteroid has led Nasa to dismiss the threat as well.
Nasa scientist Davide Farnocchia, who studies near-Earth phenomena, said in a statement on Friday said, "A 2068 impact is not in the realm of possibility any more, and our calculations don't show any impact risk for at least the next 100 years,"
Apophis, named after the ancient Egyptian god of chaos and darkness, is reported to be 340m (1,100ft) across, about the length of three football pitches in the United Kingdom.
On 5 March the asteroid made a close flyby of Earth, coming within 17 million kilometres (10 million miles).
Astronomers were able to refine their estimation of the asteroid's orbit around the Sun using radar measurements, enabling them to comfortably rule out any impact possibility in 2068 and beyond.
Mr Farnocchia said, "When I first started working with asteroids after college, Apophis was the poster child for dangerous asteroids." "It gives me a sense of relief that it's no longer on the risk list."
"We're looking forward to the science we could discover during its near approach in 2029," he said.
