99942 Apophis Is Coming

Today we’re looking to the stars, or rather, a star-like object that’s causing quite a stir. On April 13, 2029, get ready to witness a celestial event of a lifetime—the close approach of asteroid 99942 Apophis.

The size of the Empire State Building and named after the Egyptian god of chaos, Apophis was once a source of significant concern due to fears it might collide with Earth. This near-Earth asteroid will swing by closer than some of our own satellites! Fortunately, those fears have since been diminished, thanks to the tireless work of astronomers who’ve crunched the numbers and confirmed we’re safe—for now.

Apophis will zoom past our planet at a distance of about 31,000 kilometers, or 19,000 miles. That's closer than the geostationary satellites that orbit Earth! And here’s something even more exciting—you might be able to see it with your own eyes. Apophis will be visible as a bright point of light streaking across the sky in some parts of the world.

This isn’t just a cool skywatching event. It’s a golden opportunity for scientists. The close flyby provides a rare chance to study an asteroid up close, without having to send a spacecraft millions of miles into space. Observatories around the globe will be tracking Apophis, using radar and telescopes to snag details about its composition, shape, and even its very surface.

Why does this matter? Studying asteroids like Apophis helps us understand more about the early solar system. But perhaps more importantly, it aids our efforts in planetary defense—learning how to protect Earth from potential future asteroids that might not just pass by but pose a real threat.

So mark your calendars for Friday, April 13, 2029. Apophis is coming, and it’s bringing with it not just a spectacular show, but invaluable insights into our solar system’s past, and maybe even into our future survival.

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