In exactly 900 days, one of the most remarkable astronomical occurrences of our era will take place high above our planet. Scheduled for Friday, April 13, 2029, the massive space rock designated as asteroid 99942 Apophis will streak past at a distance of merely 19,400 miles (31,200 kilometers) from the terrestrial surface. This trajectory brings it closer than the belt of geostationary communication and weather satellites, and inside a tenth of the typical gap separating Earth from the moon.

Measuring roughly 340 meters (1,100 feet) across, the asteroid will safely miss a collision, yet this proximity is extraordinarily rare for an object of such magnitude. Experts estimate that a planetary flyby of this scale happens roughly once every five millennia to a myriad of years. The burning question remains: will you witness it?

How Close Will Asteroid Apophis Come To Earth?

At its point of maximum approach, Apophis will navigate the space situated between our planet and the ring of geostationary satellites, which normally orbit at an altitude of approximately 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers).

This does not imply an impending collision with any orbital hardware, as the statistical probability of such an impact remains virtually zero. While communications infrastructure occupies specific equatorial slots, the asteroid follows an independent orbital path through the near-Earth environment.

Will Apophis Hit Earth In 2029?

There is no threat of impact. Upon its initial discovery in 2004, preliminary calculations briefly hinted at a potential collision during the 2029 flyby, instantly cementing its status among the most infamous near-Earth objects on record. Subsequent tracking vastly refined orbit models, allowing scientists to completely rule out a 2029 collision back in 2021, alongside confirming a lack of impact risks for at least the next hundred years.

Nevertheless, this impending encounter holds immense scientific significance because terrestrial gravity will profoundly warp the asteroid's flight path. The gravitational pull may also induce shifts in its rotation rate and destabilize surface geology. Because this close pass could alter its future risk profile, researchers treat the event through the lens of understanding potential hazards.

Can You See Asteroid Apophis In 2029?

Surprisingly, yes. Observers can anticipate Apophis brightening sufficiently to become visible to the unaided eye as it traverses the nocturnal firmament. Prime viewing conditions will favor regions across Europe, Asia, and Africa, where the space rock will manifest as a stellar point shifting perceptibly against backdrop constellations. Portions of eastern South America and Australia will likewise catch glimpses of the transit.

For countless individuals, stepping outside to watch a colossal asteroid glide past our world in real time will present a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.

Spacecraft Will Watch Apophis Fly Past Earth

Researchers are also mobilizing dedicated robotic missions for an up-close examination. The European Space Agency has scheduled the launch of its RAMSES (Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety) probe for 2028, aiming to intercept the asteroid prior to the encounter. The spacecraft will monitor the body before, during, and after terrestrial gravity reshapes its trajectory.

Similarly, NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX mission—formerly known as OSIRIS-REx, celebrated for delivering samples from asteroid Bennu back to Earth in 2023—will arrive in the aftermath to analyze structural transformations.

Consequently, April 13, 2029, transcends a mere visual spectacle, transforming into an organic planetary defense trial where Earth supplies the gravitational force and researchers secure a front-row perspective.

Apophis Could Be Watched From Beyond The Moon

Roughly 19 hours subsequent to its closest terrestrial approach, Apophis will swing relatively close to the lunar orbit, where an additional spacecraft could be lying in wait. According to a study published in Space: Science & Technology, the European Space Agency’s upcoming LUMIO (Lunar Meteoroid Impacts Observer) could track Apophis from the Earth-moon L2 Lagrangian point, situated beyond the lunar sphere from an earthly viewpoint.

The 12U CubeSat, slated for a 2028 liftoff, is primarily engineered to spot optical flashes generated by meteoroids striking the far side of the moon. Should its operational lifespan extend through April 2029, onboard imaging systems could lock onto Apophis for nearly a month surrounding its historic transit. This vantage point will prove invaluable, supplementing ground-based perspectives with cislunar data capable of monitoring shifts in brightness and rotational dynamics as the object retreats.