Asteroid Apophis to Fly Within 32,000 km of Earth in 2029

On 13 April 2029 the near‑Earth asteroid 99942 Apophis will pass about 32,000 km (20,000 mi) from Earth, closer than geostationary satellites and less than one‑tenth of the lunar distance. Updated tracking shows no risk of impact for at least the next century, turning the encounter into a rare scientific opportunity.

NASA, the European Space Agency and Japan’s JAXA are preparing coordinated missions to study the flyby. NASA will use the OSIRIS‑APEX spacecraft, ESA is developing the Ramses mission, and JAXA’s DESTINY+ will conduct a close approach weeks before the Earth encounter. A student‑led Chinese CubeSat may also join the observation effort. Scientists expect to learn how Earth’s gravity affects the asteroid’s rotation and surface, improving planetary‑defence knowledge.

The asteroid, discovered in 2004 and once thought to have a 1‑in‑37 chance of striking Earth, has been removed from all impact‑risk lists after refined radar and optical observations. The 2029 approach is described as a “once‑per‑millennium natural experiment” by planetary scientist Richard Binzel.