The asteroid will pass just 20,000 miles from Earth—about 12 times closer than the Moon.
Astronomers have shared an exciting update for skywatchers: a rare asteroid will soon be visible to the naked eye. The near-Earth object 99942 Apophis, named after the Egyptian god of chaos, darkness, and fire, is expected to make a safe close approach to Earth on April 13, 2029.
During its flyby, Apophis is projected to come within about 20,000 miles of Earth—roughly 12 times closer than the Moon and even closer than many geosynchronous satellites. NASA describes it as one of the closest approaches ever recorded for an asteroid of this size.
If conditions are clear, the event may be visible to the naked eye for observers across the Eastern Hemisphere, offering a rare and striking celestial display.
Despite initial concerns after its discovery in 2004, NASA now confirms that 99942 Apophis poses no threat of impacting Earth for at least the next 100 years. Scientists note that while Earth’s gravity may slightly change its trajectory or orbital period during the close approach, it will not increase the risk of any future collision.
Space agencies are taking advantage of this rare opportunity to study the asteroid up close. NASA has redirected a spacecraft for a rendezvous mission, while the European Space Agency (ESA) is also preparing its own mission to observe Apophis in detail.
Believed to be a 4.6-billion-year-old remnant from the early solar system, Apophis is composed of material that never formed into a planet. It measures about 1,115 feet in average diameter, with its longest axis extending up to at least 1,480 feet.
Discovered in 2004 by astronomers at Kitt Peak National Observatory, the asteroid is named after the Egyptian god of chaos. After its 2029 flyby, Apophis will be officially classified as part of the Apollo group of Earth-crossing asteroids.
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