A massive asteroid, aptly named after the ancient Egyptian god of chaos and darkness, is hurtling toward a historic “close shave” with Earth.
The asteroid, known as 99942 Apophis,is scheduled to make its closest approach on April 13, 2029. While its name—Apophis—evokes images of ancient destruction, astronomers are quick to reassure the public: there is no risk of a collision with our planet for at least the next century.
Closer Than Our Satellites
Measuring approximately 370 to 450 meters (1,200 to 1,500 feet) across—roughly the height of the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building—Apophis is a “potentially hazardous” heavyweight.
During its 2029 pass, the asteroid will come within **20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers)** of the Earth’s surface. To put that into perspective, this is closer than many of the geostationary satellites currently orbiting the globe. It is so close that the asteroid will be visible to the naked eye for millions of people in the Eastern Hemisphere, appearing as a bright point of light moving across the night sky.
“It’s likely that an event like this has not happened at any time in recorded human history,” a NASA spokesperson stated. “Without a doubt, this is the first time it has occurred when humanity has possessed the technology to observe it at such close range.”
A Rare Scientific Opportunity
The flyby isn’t just a visual spectacle; it is a gold mine for planetary defense research. NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are preparing missions to “shadow” the space rock as it passes.
NASA has already redirected its **OSIRIS-APEX** spacecraft (formerly the OSIRIS-REx mission, which successfully sampled the asteroid Bennu) to rendezvous with Apophis. The craft will reach the asteroid shortly after its closest approach to Earth, spending 18 months studying how our planet’s gravity affects the asteroid’s orbit and physical structure.
Scientists expect that Earth’s gravitational pull may trigger “asteroid quakes” on Apophis or even alter its rotation. Observing these changes will help experts understand the internal composition of such bodies, which is vital information should we ever need to deflect a rogue asteroid in the future.
Origins of a ‘Chaos’ God
Apophis is a remnant from the early formation of our solar system, roughly 4.6 billion years ago. It originated in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, but over millions of years, its path was nudged by the gravitational influence of gas giants like Jupiter, eventually settling into an orbit that brings it near Earth.
The asteroid was first discovered in 2004 by Roy Tucker, David Tholen, and Fabrizio Bernardi at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona. Initial calculations briefly suggested a small but terrifying 2.7% chance of impact in 2029, which prompted the “God of Chaos” moniker. However, subsequent observations have completely ruled out an impact in 2029, 2036, and 2068.
“Naming it after the ancient Egyptian god of evil and destruction seemed appropriate given the initial uncertainty,” David Tholen told NASA. “Even though we now know it won’t hit us, it remains one of the most significant objects in terms of planetary defense.”
Where to Watch
While the event is still three years away, astronomers are already mapping out visibility. On the evening of April 13, 2029, Apophis will first become visible to the naked eye over the Indian Ocean. As the night progresses, it will cross Africa, eventually reaching its closest point to Earth over the Atlantic Ocean.
For the scientific community, the countdown to 2029 is a race to prepare the most sophisticated observation campaign in the history of astronomy.
