NASA Rules Out Apophis Impact for 100 Years as 375-Meter Asteroid Skims Earth in 2029
Updated
Updated · Colombia One · Aug 14
NASA Rules Out Apophis Impact for 100 Years as 375-Meter Asteroid Skims Earth in 2029
3 articles · Updated · Colombia One · Aug 14
Summary
32,000 kilometers from Earth’s surface—about one-tenth of the Moon’s distance—Apophis is now expected to pass safely on April 13, 2029, with no impact risk for at least 100 years.
NASA said improved optical and radar observations refined the orbit of 99942 Apophis, overturning early post-2004 fears that the asteroid could strike Earth.
375 meters wide, Apophis will pass below geostationary-satellite altitude and could be visible to the naked eye from parts of Europe, Africa and Asia.
Earth’s gravity is expected to alter the asteroid’s orbit and rotation and may trigger surface changes, giving scientists a rare real-world test of how close encounters reshape near-Earth objects.
OSIRIS-APEX and ESA’s planned Ramses mission aim to study Apophis around the flyby, using the harmless pass to improve future planetary-defense predictions.