Apophis Asteroid to Make Close Approach to Earth in April 2029

Asteroid 99942 Apophis is scheduled to pass near Earth on April 13, 2029, at a distance closer than many satellites. NASA has confirmed there is no risk of impact during this approach or for at least a century.

Apophis will pass at approximately 31,600 kilometers (19,600 miles) above Earth’s surface at 21:46 UTC. This distance is inside the orbit of geostationary satellites, but its trajectory does not intersect with any satellite paths, according to NASA and the Apophis-2029 team.

The asteroid’s diameter is about 340 meters (1,100 feet), which is roughly the same as the height of the Eiffel Tower. Apophis was first identified on June 19, 2004, at Kitt Peak National Observatory by Roy Tucker, David Tholen, and Fabrizio Bernardi.

NASA has stated that Apophis will safely pass Earth and has ruled out any collision risk for at least the next 100 years. The agency has also redirected its OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft to rendezvous with Apophis following its 2029 flyby to gather additional data.

What the numbers show

• Apophis will pass Earth at about 31,600 km (19,600 miles) above the surface
• The flyby is scheduled for April 13, 2029, at 21:46 UTC
• The asteroid measures approximately 340 meters (1,100 feet) in diameter

During the 2029 encounter, Apophis will travel closer to Earth than the altitude of many geosynchronous satellites, which orbit at roughly 35,786 kilometers. However, its inclined path ensures there is no risk of collision with these satellites.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has stated that Earth’s gravity will alter Apophis’s orbit during the close approach. This gravitational influence is expected to change the asteroid’s trajectory, but not in a way that increases risk to Earth.

The OSIRIS-APEX mission will study Apophis after its flyby, providing new insights into the asteroid’s composition and behavior. NASA has indicated that this mission will help scientists better understand the effects of close planetary encounters on asteroids.

Apophis’s flyby in 2029 is a rare event for an asteroid of its size to pass so near Earth. NASA and other agencies will continue to monitor its path and collect data during and after the encounter.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.