Giant asteroid will skim closer to Earth than satellites
geekspin • • science
Key Points:
- NASA has confirmed that the massive asteroid Apophis, nicknamed the "God of Chaos," will pass extremely close to Earth on April 13, 2029, coming within 20,000 miles of the planet—closer than many satellites orbit.
- At 1,230 feet in diameter, Apophis will be visible to the naked eye during its flyby, providing a rare and unprecedented viewing opportunity for millions across the Eastern Hemisphere.
- Despite its size and proximity, NASA assures that there is no risk of collision with Earth or satellites, having ruled out impact threats for at least the next century through extensive tracking and radar observations.
- The 2029 flyby is considered a landmark event for planetary science, allowing researchers to study the asteroid's physical changes caused by Earth's gravity in real-time, with ESA preparing a dedicated mission to monitor the event.
- Apophis will return for a more distant flyby in 2036, passing Earth at about 5.2 million miles, which poses no significant threat and is less notable than the 2029 close approach.
