On April 13, 2029, asteroid Apophis will pass closer to Earth than most satellites, marking a historic celestial event. The asteroid, named after the Egyptian god of chaos, will come within 32,000 kilometers of Earth’s surface, sparking interest from scientists and the public alike.
Initially discovered in 2004, Apophis caused concern due to its potential for collision during its 2029 flyby. Early calculations showed a 2.7% risk of impact, earning it the highest score on the Torino scale. Further studies, however, have eliminated any threat for at least 100 years.
The asteroid’s close pass will likely trigger surface changes, including tremors and landslides, caused by Earth’s gravitational forces. These effects will be studied as part of NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX mission, which will analyze surface material and observe physical changes to the asteroid.
International efforts, including Germany’s “NEAlight” project, aim to exploit this once-in-a-millennium event for scientific advancement. These missions will focus on asteroid dynamics and contribute to planetary defense strategies.
Visible to the naked eye, Apophis promises to be a spectacular sight during its approach, with observation events being planned worldwide.
This encounter underscores the importance of ongoing research into near-Earth objects, not only for scientific discovery but also for preparing against potential future threats.
