Asteroid Apophis, named after the Egyptian god of chaos, will pass closer to Earth on April 13, 2029, than many orbiting satellites. The 340-meter asteroid will come within 32,000 kilometers of the planet, offering an unprecedented opportunity for scientific study and public observation.
Discovered in 2004, Apophis initially raised fears due to a calculated 2.7% chance of collision during its 2029 approach. This led to its classification as a potentially hazardous object and the highest rating ever on the Torino scale. Updated models have since ruled out an impact for at least the next century.
Researchers predict that Earth’s gravity will significantly affect the asteroid during its close pass, causing surface tremors and reshaping parts of its terrain. These changes will be the focus of NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX mission, which plans to analyze Apophis up close.
Other international teams, including Germany’s “NEAlight” project, aim to use the flyby to gather data on asteroid behavior. Insights from these missions could advance planetary defense strategies and deepen our understanding of near-Earth objects.
For the public, Apophis will be visible to the naked eye during its approach, making it a rare celestial event. Scientists are planning observation campaigns to maximize data collection during this extraordinary encounter.
This flyby highlights the dual importance of preparing for potential asteroid threats and leveraging rare opportunities to expand scientific knowledge.
