NASA has officially announced the upcoming close encounter of a massive asteroid named Apophis with Earth, marking a historic event as it will be the closest approach of an object of its size to our planet in recorded human history. The asteroid, named after the ancient Egyptian God of evil and destruction, is set to pass by Earth in 2029, specifically on the notoriously unlucky date of Friday the 13th in April.
Apophis will approach within 20,000 miles of Earth, a distance closer than many orbiting satellites and approximately 12 times nearer than the moon’s average distance. Initially, there were concerns that Apophis might collide with Earth in 2029, 2036, or 2068 when it was first discovered in 2004. Continuous monitoring using optical telescopes and ground-based radar has allowed astronomers to refine its orbit.
NASA’s recent assessment indicates no risk of Apophis impacting Earth for the next century. Originally, NASA estimated a 2.7% chance of impact, but subsequent radar observations in 2021 eliminated any potential danger. This close encounter presents a unique opportunity for global scientists to study this colossal asteroid up close. NASA anticipates that Apophis will be visible to the naked eye for several hours during the fly-by, with potential changes to its spin state due to Earth tides.
Apophis, nicknamed the God of Chaos, measures about 1,230 feet, slightly taller than the Eiffel Tower. NASA continuously monitors approximately 2,000 celestial objects, including asteroids and comets, that could approach Earth. While most of these objects do not pose a threat, the rare possibility of a significant impact exists. The last catastrophic asteroid impact on Earth occurred 66 million years ago, leading to the extinction of the dinosaurs.