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Target: 2029-04-13 21:46 UTC
Near-Earth Asteroid / Safe 2029 Flyby
99942 Apophis, the “God of Chaos” asteroid, measured by science.
The asteroid often compared to the Eiffel Tower will pass unusually close to Earth on April 13, 2029. It will not hit Earth, and that certainty is what makes the encounter so valuable.
- Closest approach
- Apr 13, 2029
- Distance
- ~32,000 km
- Mean diameter
- ~340 m
Overview
A dramatic name, a safe flyby, and a rare chance to study planetary defense.
99942 Apophis became famous after early observations in 2004 raised concern about possible future impacts. Better tracking removed that threat. NASA and JPL now state that Apophis cannot impact Earth during the 2029 encounter and that Earth is safe from Apophis for at least the next century.
The popular “God of Chaos” framing makes Apophis memorable, but the science is more interesting than the fear. In 2029, a large near-Earth asteroid will pass inside the orbit of many geosynchronous satellites, close enough for radar, telescopes, spacecraft, and public observers to study it in exceptional detail.
April 13, 2029
The close approach is known within tight limits.
This is not a countdown to impact. It is a countdown to one of the best asteroid observation windows in modern astronomy.
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2004
Discovery and early attention
New observations briefly placed Apophis high on impact-risk lists before additional tracking refined the orbit.
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2021
Impact risk removed
Radar observations and orbit analysis ruled out an Earth impact for at least 100 years.
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2029
Safe close approach
Apophis passes roughly 32,000 km above Earth's surface, creating a once-in-many-centuries observation opportunity.
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After
Spacecraft science
NASA's OSIRIS-APEX mission is planned to study how the encounter changes Apophis.
Facts
The numbers behind the headline.
Eiffel Tower scale
NASA lists Apophis at about 340 meters in mean diameter, with a long axis of at least 450 meters.
Closer than many satellites
The 2029 flyby distance is about 32,000 kilometers from Earth's surface, inside geosynchronous altitude.
No 2029 impact
JPL states the 2029 trajectory is known well enough to rule out an Earth impact.
Visible from Earth
Under favorable skies, the flyby may be visible to unaided observers in parts of Europe, Africa, and western Asia.
Science Value
A natural experiment in asteroid physics.
Radar and telescope campaigns
The close pass lets scientists refine Apophis' size, shape, spin, surface properties, and future orbit with unusually strong data.
OSIRIS-APEX
NASA repurposed the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft for an extended Apophis mission after returning the Bennu sample to Earth.
Planetary defense practice
Apophis gives researchers a safe rehearsal for how humanity tracks, communicates, and studies potentially hazardous asteroids.
FAQ
Fast answers without the panic.
Will 99942 Apophis hit Earth in 2029?
No. NASA and JPL have ruled out a 2029 impact. Their later analysis also removed Apophis from impact-risk concern for at least the next 100 years.
Why do articles call it the “God of Chaos” asteroid?
Apophis is named after an ancient Egyptian figure associated with chaos. The phrase is useful for headlines, but the 2029 event is a safe close approach.
Is it really the size of the Eiffel Tower?
It is a useful scale comparison. NASA gives a mean diameter near 340 meters, while the Eiffel Tower is about 330 meters tall.
Why does the close approach matter if it is safe?
Large asteroids rarely pass this close. The encounter lets scientists study how Earth's gravity can alter an asteroid's spin, orbit, and surface.
Sources
Reference material used for this page.
- LA NACION: “Dios del caos” article Narrative reference for the God of Chaos and Eiffel Tower framing.
- NASA Science: Apophis Facts Official size, date, and close-approach facts.
- NASA JPL: Earth is safe for 100-plus years Official risk-status analysis.
- NASA Science: OSIRIS-APEX NASA's extended mission to study Apophis after the close approach.