Massive Asteroid Apophis to Pass Earth in 2029, Visible to Billions
WHO:
Space Daily - The asteroid is named Apophis.
Space.com - Ninety percent of the world's population could glimpse asteroid Apophis.
WHAT:
Space Daily - Apophis is a 375-metre asteroid that will sweep past Earth.
Space Daily - The asteroid will pass about 31,600 kilometres above Earth’s surface.
Space Daily - An estimated two billion people across Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia may be able to see Apophis with the naked eye.
Space Daily - The 2029 encounter is designated as a fly-by and poses no risk of striking Earth for at least the next hundred years.
Space Daily - NASA has redirected the spacecraft OSIRIS-APEX toward Apophis, due to arrive shortly after the 2029 flyby.
Space Daily - The European Space Agency is developing a mission called Ramses to observe Apophis before the encounter.
WHERE:
Space Daily - The asteroid will be visible across Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia.
WHEN:
Space Daily - Apophis will pass Earth on 13 April 2029.
Space Daily - The date of the encounter falls on a Friday the 13th.
WHY:
Space Daily - The close pass of Apophis is a rare natural experiment for researchers to study how such asteroids behave and are structured.
HOW:
Space Daily - Earth’s gravity will pull on Apophis during its close pass, potentially changing its orbit and spin, and possibly reshaping its surface.
(UPDATED July 6, 2026 23:26 UTC)
Asteroid Apophis, measuring 375 meters across, is set to sweep past Earth on April 13, 2029, and will be visible to an estimated two billion people across Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia. This fly-by, which poses no risk of collision for at least the next hundred years, will allow researchers to study how such asteroids behave and are structured as Earth's gravity may alter Apophis's orbit and surface. NASA is redirecting the spacecraft OSIRIS-APEX to arrive shortly after the flyby, while the European Space Agency is developing a mission called Ramses to observe the asteroid before this significant encounter.