Asteroid Apophis to Pass Within 32,000 km of Earth on April 13, 2029

The near‑Earth asteroid 99942 Apophis, discovered in 2004 and measuring about 340 metres (roughly the height of the Eiffel Tower), will make a close fly‑by of Earth on 13 April 2029. It is expected to come within approximately 32,000 km of the planet’s surface, nearer than many geostationary satellites that orbit at about 36,000 km.

Initial calculations gave the object a 1.6 % impact probability and placed it at level 4 on the Torino Scale, prompting the nickname “God of Chaos”. Subsequent observations have refined its trajectory, reducing the impact risk to level 0 and allowing NASA to rule out any collision for at least the next 100 years. NASA is preparing a dedicated spacecraft to study the asteroid during its approach.

Because the fly‑by will occur during night‑time in large parts of Europe, Africa and Asia, the asteroid should be visible to the naked eye, especially from dark‑sky locations such as Greece and Cyprus. Such a close approach of a large asteroid is extraordinarily rare, occurring only once every 5,000–10,000 years, offering scientists a valuable opportunity to observe how Earth's gravity affects a sizable space rock.