13 articles · Updated · ABC6OnYourSide.com · May 2
NASA says the asteroid will fly about 20,000 miles away on 13 April 2029, with no impact risk, in a rare encounter closer than many orbiting satellites.
Discovered in 2004 and about the size of the Eiffel Tower, Apophis is classed as potentially hazardous but is expected to pass safely.
NASA and the European Space Agency plan observations to study how Earth's gravity pulls, twists and reshapes material left from the solar system's formation 4.6 billion years ago.
Apophis is a dry run for planetary defense. How will it help protect our vital satellites from the next asteroid threat?
As private missions join NASA to study Apophis, are we witnessing the start of a new commercial race for asteroid resources?
Asteroid Apophis’s 2029 Earth Flyby: Orbit Shift, Surface Changes, and Global Observation Campaign
Overview
On April 13, 2029, asteroid Apophis will make a historic close flyby of Earth, passing within 20,000 miles—closer than many satellites—and visible to the naked eye. Earth's gravity will reshape Apophis's orbit and alter its rotation, possibly causing seismic activity like landslides. To study these changes, ESA's Ramses mission will arrive before the flyby to observe Apophis, while NASA's OSIRIS-APEX will follow afterward to examine the asteroid's surface. Continuous observations have ruled out any impact risk for at least the next century, shifting focus to scientific discovery and planetary defense. The event also inspires global public engagement coordinated by the International Asteroid Warning Network.