Asteroid Apophis, Size of Empire State Building, to Pass Close to Earth in 2029

Asteroid Apophis, named after the Egyptian god of chaos, will pass within 20,000 miles of Earth on 13 April 2029. The asteroid has a mean diameter of 340 meters and is at least 450 meters long, comparable to the Empire State Building. Originally thought to potentially impact Earth in 2029, 2036, or 2068, scientists have confirmed it will safely pass and poses no threat for at least 100 years. Under clear conditions, it will be visible to the naked eye across the Eastern Hemisphere, including parts of Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. NASA describes the flyby as an unprecedented opportunity for scientific study, with observatories and spacecraft planned to monitor and sample the asteroid. Such a close pass by a large asteroid occurs only every few thousand years.