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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]
16 clusters · 107 sources · 51 days · First seen · Last updated
Categories: TECHNOLOGY · INTERNATIONAL
Near‑Earth asteroid close approaches 2026‑2029
Entities: NASA · European Space Agency (ESA) · European Space Agency · 99942 Apophis · RAMSES
Overview
The Aten‑class asteroid (152637) 1997 NC1 safely passed Earth on 27 June 2026 at about 2.56 million km, with radar and optical tracking confirming zero impact risk and refining its size to 750 m–1.6 km. The event coincided with International Asteroid Day and spurred worldwide observation campaigns.
The headline encounter on 13 April 2029 will bring the 340‑m stony asteroid 99942 Apophis within roughly 32 000 km of Earth—well inside the geostationary belt and visible to most of the global population. NASA’s OSIRIS‑APEX, ESA’s RAMSES, JAXA’s DESTINY+ and a Chinese student CubeSat are being prepared to study Apophis’s spin, surface and gravitational response.
Recent modeling highlighted that fragments of space debris in geostationary orbit could intersect Apophis’s path, potentially compromising observations. Italian researchers Giulia Schettino and Alessandro Rossi warned of a small but real collision risk that could affect data from the planned missions. OSIRIS‑APEX will monitor any debris‑interaction hazards, providing data for the 2029 flyby and the subsequent 2036 approach.
NASA and ESA have now formally ruled out any impact threat from Apophis for at least the next century, confirming earlier assessments. The agencies emphasize that the close approach offers a rare opportunity for planetary‑science studies while underscoring the growing concern over orbital debris.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Apophis will pass within about 32,000 km of Earth on 13 April 2029. (All articles)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The fly‑by distance is lower than the altitude of geostationary satellites (~35,800 km). (All articles)
- [● 4 SOURCES] NASA and ESA have ruled out any impact risk from Apophis for at least the next century. (All articles)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The close approach will let scientists study Earth’s gravitational effects on Apophis, including changes to its orbit and rotation. (All articles)
- [● 4 SOURCES] NASA’s OSIRIS‑APEX mission and ESA’s RAMSES mission are planned to observe Apophis during the encounter. (Spanish, Dutch, and English articles)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Apophis is about 340 metres in diameter. (All articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Simulations indicate a small risk that Apophis could collide with human‑made space debris during its 2029 pass. (Spanish and Dutch articles)
Timeline
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1 day ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 8 sourcesAsteroid Apophis to Pass Within 32,000 km of Earth in 2029, NASA and ESA Rule Out ImpactApophis will pass 32 000 km from Earth on 13 April 2029; NASA and ESA see no impact risk, but Italian scientists note a small chance of collision with space debris, prompting observation missions.
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4 days ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 6 sourcesApophis asteroid to fly within 32,000 km of Earth in 2029, debris risk notedApophis will pass within 32,000 km of Earth in April 2029; scientists say no impact risk but warn space‑debris could affect observations and stress planetary‑defence readiness.
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9 days ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 4 sourcesAsteroid Apophis to Fly Within 32,000 km of Earth in 2029Asteroid Apophis will pass within 32,000 km of Earth on 13 April 2029, posing no impact risk. NASA, ESA, JAXA and a possible Chinese CubeSat will study the flyby to improve planetary‑defence science.
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14 days ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 3 sourcesAsteroid Apophis to Pass Within 32,000 km of Earth on April 13, 2029Asteroid 99942 Apophis, about 340 m across, will swing within 32,000 km of Earth on 13 April 2029, closer than many satellites. NASA has ruled out any impact risk for the next century, and the pass will be view
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21 days ago
[INTERNATIONAL] 3 sourcesAsteroid Apophis to Fly Within 32,000 km of Earth, Visible to Most of World in 2029On 13 April 2029 asteroid Apophis will pass within ~32,000 km of Earth, closer than geostationary satellites, and be visible to the naked eye for about seven hours, allowing roughly 90 % of the planet to watch.
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28 days ago
[INTERNATIONAL] 4 sourcesAsteroid Apophis to Fly Safely Within 31,600 km of Earth on 13 April 2029Apophis will safely skim Earth at 31,600 km on 13 April 2029, visible to billions and studied by NASA and ESA missions to boost planetary‑defence research.
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about 1 month ago
[INTERNATIONAL] 4 sourcesAsteroid Apophis to Skirt Earth in April 2029, Visible to Most of the WorldAsteroid Apophis will pass safely within 32,000 km of Earth on 13 April 2029, likely visible to 90 % of the world’s population, with NASA and ESA preparing observations.
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about 1 month ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 7 sourcesNASA's DART kinetic‑impact test confirms asteroid deflection, but early detection remains keyNASA's 2022 DART mission proved kinetic impact can change an asteroid's path; ESA's Hera will study the results while experts stress early detection and note no imminent impact threats from known near‑Earth ast
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about 1 month ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 7 sourcesAsteroid 1997 NC1 flies harmlessly past EarthAsteroid 1997 NC1, 0.75–1.65 km across, passed Earth at ~2.6 million km on Saturday morning, posing no danger; next close approach not until 2133.
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about 1 month ago
[INTERNATIONAL] 8 sourcesAsteroid 1997 NC1 to Fly Safely Past Earth on June 27, 2026Asteroid 1997 NC1 will safely pass Earth on 27 June 2026 at 2.56 million km, posing no impact risk and visible through small telescopes.
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about 1 month ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 5 sourcesAsteroid 1997 NC1 to Pass Near Earth Safely on June 27ESA says asteroid 1997 NC1, 750‑1,650 m wide, will safely pass Earth on 27 June at 2.56 million km, visible with telescopes; impact risk is zero.
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about 1 month ago
[INTERNATIONAL] 4 sourcesAsteroid 1997 NC1 makes close pass by Earth, observable with telescopesAsteroid 1997 NC1, 750‑1650 m across, passed Earth at 2.6 million km on 27 June 2026, safe but visible with small telescopes and binoculars.
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about 1 month ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 32 sourcesAsteroid (152637) 1997 NC1 to Pass Near Earth Safely on June 27ESA reports asteroid (152637) 1997 NC1 will safely pass Earth on 27 June at ~2.56 million km, size 0.75‑1.65 km, zero impact risk, visible with modest telescopes.
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about 1 month ago
[INTERNATIONAL] 9 sourcesAsteroid 1997 NC1 to Pass Near Earth on June 27, 2026ESA says asteroid 1997 NC1 (≈0.8‑1.6 km) will safely pass Earth on 27 June 2026 at ~2.56 M km (6.66 LD) and can be seen with small telescopes.
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about 1 month ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 3 sourcesAsteroid 1997 NC1 to Pass Within 2.6 million km of Earth on June 27, 2026Asteroid (152637) 1997 NC1, 0.7‑1.6 km across, will safely pass Earth at about 2.6 million km on 27 June 2026; no impact risk, observable with amateur equipment and slated for radar study.
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about 2 months ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 3 sourcesAsteroid 152637 (1997 NC1) to make closest Earth approach in 400 years on 27 June 2026Asteroid 152637 (1997 NC1) will pass 2.56 million km from Earth on 27 June 2026, the closest in 400 years, with no impact risk; global radar and telescope observations will refine planetary‑defence data.
Sources
ac24horas.com · adevarul.ro · aktivni.si · alba24.ro · apach57.fr · archyworldys.com · arynews.tv · athina984.gr · aztecamorelos.com · bistrategic.com · brasil.perfil.com · bulgaria.actualno.com · circleline.prague · compartir-tecnologias.es · csca.aha.cam.ac.uk · danielmarin.naukas.com · dariknews.bg · derpendler.ch · diario.mx · dominicanoshoy.com · dsvc.com.br · elnuevodiario.com.do · eltiempomx.com · eluniverso.com · enallaxnews.gr · enikos.gr · ensemblepourlaville.be · entrelineas.com.mx · epitesti.ro · euroweeklynews.com · everyfutbol.co · excelsior.com.mx · expreso.ec · extra.com.co · fakt.pl · folhadevilhena.com.br · folhadoprogresso.com.br · forestgrovenewstimes.com · fouit.gr · gzt.com · halifax.citynews.ca · hna.de · hotsite.cnnbrasil.com.br · hoy.com.do · hsbnoticias.com · ibtimes.co.uk · imerazante.gr · infinitynews.it
This summary has been updated 5 times: see revision history