375-Meter Asteroid Apophis Will Pass 31,600 Km From Earth, Visible to 2 Billion
Updated
Updated · spacedaily.com · Jul 6
375-Meter Asteroid Apophis Will Pass 31,600 Km From Earth, Visible to 2 Billion
3 articles · Updated · spacedaily.com · Jul 6
Summary
13 April 2029 is when Apophis will skim about 31,600 km above Earth—closer than many geostationary satellites—making the 375-meter asteroid visible to the naked eye across Europe, Africa and parts of Asia.
2 billion people could see it because the flyby should brighten Apophis to roughly the level of a modest star, appearing as a moving point of light over several hours under clear, dark skies.
2021 radar measurements ruled out earlier impact scenarios first raised after Apophis was discovered in 2004, and space agencies now say it poses no collision risk for at least 100 years.
NASA's OSIRIS-APEX and ESA's planned Ramses mission aim to study how Earth's gravity alters the asteroid's orbit, spin and possibly surface during a pass this close—an event expected only every several thousand years.
Could the 2029 flyby fracture Apophis, turning one safe asteroid into many unpredictable new threats for Earth?
When Earth's gravity triggers 'quakes' on Apophis in 2029, what secrets about its core will be shaken loose?
As nations race to study Apophis, are we seeing global cooperation or a new planetary defense space race?
The 2029 Apophis Flyby: Humanity’s Closest-Ever Encounter with a Major Asteroid and Its Impact on Planetary Defense
Overview
On April 13, 2029, asteroid Apophis will make an exceptionally close and safe flyby of Earth, marking the closest approach by an asteroid of its size ever known in advance. This unprecedented event poses no danger to Earth or satellites, but offers a unique chance for scientific study and public engagement. Apophis is a large, elongated near-Earth asteroid, and its flyby will allow scientists to observe it in detail and the public to witness a rare celestial event. The 2029 encounter stands out as a milestone for both planetary science and global awareness.