Asteroid 99942 Apophis
The Historic Earth Flyby - April 13, 2029
What is Apophis?
On April 13, 2029, the asteroid named after the Egyptian god of chaos will pass just 31,600 km from Earth — closer than our satellites. Visible to the naked eye for 2 billion people, this once-in-7,500-years event marks a historic moment in human history.
Closest Approach
31,000 km from Earth
Closer than geostationary satellites
Visibility
Visible to naked eye
Observable from Europe, Africa, and Asia
Size
370 meters diameter
Approximately the size of 3 football fields
Latest Updates
Apophis Will Pass Within 10,000 km of Asteroid Xanthus in December 2026
Eight months before Apophis's historic Earth flyby, the asteroid will encounter 4544 Xanthus with a MOID under 10,000 km—the closest pre-2029 asteroid encounter that researchers have verified poses no collision risk.
The Yarkovsky Effect: How Sunlight is Slowly Changing Apophis's Orbit
Discover how thermal radiation from sunlight causes Apophis to drift 170 meters per year toward the Sun, and why this tiny force is critical for predicting asteroid trajectories.
How Close Will Apophis Get? Inside the Satellite Belt
Apophis will pass closer to Earth than our geostationary satellites at just 31,600 km. Here's what that means for observation, why satellites are safe, and why this is a once-in-7,500-years event.