A Giant Asteroid Will Fly Closer Than Satellites in 2029
Mark the date: April 13, 2029. On that day, something straight out of a sci-fi movie is going to happen—and it’s 100% real.
An asteroid called 99942 Apophis, about the size of the Eiffel Tower, will swing past Earth so closely that it’ll travel closer than many of our satellites. And unlike distant space events that require fancy telescopes, this one will be visible to the naked eye across parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.
That has never happened before in human history.
From “Possible Disaster” To “Incredible Opportunity”
Back in 2004, Apophis made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Early calculations showed it had a 2.7% chance of slamming into Earth in 2029. That may sound small, but in asteroid terms, it was terrifying—high enough to land it at Level 4 on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale, the highest rating ever given at the time. Even the name, borrowed from the Egyptian god of chaos, didn’t help calm nerves.
Luckily, scientists kept tracking it, and after years of studying its orbit, they confirmed there’s zero risk of impact—at least for the next 100 years. The fear faded, but the fascination only grew.
This Flyby Will Change The Asteroid Forever
Apophis isn’t just passing by—Earth’s gravity is going to yank on it hard enough to change its orbit. According to a 2024 study in The Planetary Science Journal, Apophis will switch from an Aten-type orbit (mostly inside Earth’s path) to an Apollo-type orbit (extending outside of it). That’s a major shift.
But that’s not all. The close pass could also:
Alter its spin
Shake up its internal structure
Possibly trigger minor “asteroid quakes”
This kind of real-time gravitational makeover has never been observed on a large asteroid before. As MIT planetary scientist Richard Binzel put it, “Apophis is no longer a threat. But it’s the closest look we’ll get at a substantial asteroid without sending a crewed mission.”
A Once-In-A-Lifetime Lab Experiment
NASA is not just watching from the sidelines—they’ve reassigned their OSIRIS-REx spacecraft (fresh off the Bennu mission) to Apophis. It’s now called OSIRIS-APEX and will arrive shortly after the flyby. Its job?
Map the surface
Measure rotation changes
Detect seismic activity caused by Earth’s pull
The European Space Agency (ESA) might add a second mission, called RAMSES, which could send a subsatellite to measure vibrations inside Apophis. If that happens, Apophis could become only the third extraterrestrial body—after the Moon and Mars—to give us seismic data.
Why does this matter? Understanding how asteroids respond to gravitational stress could help design strategies to deflect future threats. In other words, Apophis might help us learn how to stop a real “planet killer” one day.
What It Will Look Like From Earth
Let’s talk visuals—because this won’t be a blink-and-you-miss-it meteor. Under clear skies, Apophis could shine as brightly as the stars in the Big Dipper. It’ll move fast across the sky in a visible arc that lasts several minutes. No telescope required. No special gear.
Astronomers estimate nearly 2 billion people could have a chance to see it. And here’s the wildest part: This kind of close flyby from a large asteroid won’t happen again for about 7,500 years.
So Close it Passes Inside Satellite Orbits
Geostationary satellites sit about 36,000 km above Earth. Apophis will cruise by at around 30,000 km. That’s closer than TV satellites. Closer than some GPS systems. Closer than you probably want to think about.
There’s no danger of a collision, but its gravity could still nudge satellite data or cause weird readings. That’s why space agencies plan to monitor the flyby in real time.
Why Everyone Is Excited
For casual observers, it's a jaw-dropping sky show. For astronomers, it’s a natural experiment they could never recreate in a lab. For planetary defense experts, it’s a blueprint for future asteroid protection.
Apophis started as a potential threat. Now it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—a rare moment where deep space science, cosmic history, and plain old human awe all collide.
So when April 2029 rolls around, don’t forget to look up. It’s not every day the universe swings by to say hello.
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