2029 Asteroid Flyby: A Spectacular Event Visible to 2 Billion People Without Telescopes

On April 13, 2029, an extraordinary celestial event will unfold as the asteroid Apophis makes a remarkably close pass by Earth, coming within a mere 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) of our planet's surface. To put this in perspective, it's closer than the orbit of geosynchronous satellites. During this impending encounter, Apophis will be visible to the naked eye for observers in the Eastern Hemisphere, making it a unique and unprecedented opportunity for astronomers to closely study this ancient solar system relic, which no longer poses an immediate threat to our planet.

The intriguing moniker "Apophis" draws its inspiration from ancient Egyptian mythology, where it represents the malevolent serpent demon associated with chaos and evil forces.

Apophis was initially spotted on June 19, 2004, by astronomers Roy Tucker, David Tholen, and Fabrizio Bernardi at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Tucson, Arizona. Unfortunately, due to technical and weather challenges, they could only observe it for a brief two-day period. Luckily, a team at the Siding Spring Observatory in Australia managed to reacquire sight of the asteroid later that same year.

Since its discovery, Apophis has been closely monitored by optical and radar telescopes, allowing scientists to confidently predict its future path and trajectory.

In an exciting scientific endeavor, NASA is redirecting the spacecraft OSIRIS-REx to investigate Apophis. After successfully collecting a sample from asteroid Bennu in 2023, OSIRIS-REx will be rechristened as OSIRIS-APEX (OSIRIS-Apophis EXplorer) and directed towards Apophis for its 2029 Earth flyby. Following the flyby, OSIRIS-APEX will enter orbit around Apophis, enabling an unprecedented close-up examination of the asteroid's surface. The spacecraft will utilize its thrusters to dislodge and study the dust and small rocks both on and below Apophis' surface.

Apophis measures approximately 1,100 feet (340 meters) in width and, at its farthest point, can be situated about 2 astronomical units (AU) from Earth. For reference, one astronomical unit is the average distance between the Sun and Earth. During its close approach on April 13, 2029, Apophis will come within a striking 19,794 miles (31,860 kilometers) of our planet's surface. This remarkable event will mark the closest known approach of an asteroid of this size that scientists have had the privilege to anticipate and study in advance, shedding new light on the mysteries of our solar system's history.