A massive asteroid named Apophis will pass extremely close to Earth in 2029, offering a rare visible event while scientists confirm there is no collision threat.
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- 99942 Apophis, known as the "God of Chaos," will safely pass Earth on April 13, 2029
- It will pass at a distance of about 20,000 miles from Earth
- One of the closest approaches ever recorded for an asteroid of this size
- Closer than many geostationary satellites orbiting Earth
- Expected to be visible to the naked eye in parts of the Eastern Hemisphere
- A rare and significant astronomical event
- Discovered in 2004 and initially considered a potential threat
- Early predictions suggested possible future impacts
- Continuous monitoring by NASA has ruled out collision risk for at least 100 years
- Measures approximately 340 meters in size
- Classified as a "potentially hazardous object" due to close flybys
- Earth's gravity may slightly alter its orbit during the 2029 flyby
- Possible surface effects like tremors or landslides on the asteroid
- Provides a valuable opportunity for scientific study
- Helps improve planetary defense strategies