A massive asteroid, 99942 Apophis, is set for a rare and dramatic flyby of Earth on April 13, 2029, coming within just 31,000 km of the planet. That’s nearly one-tenth the distance between Earth and the Moon and even closer than the orbit of some geostationary satellites, making it one of the closest asteroid encounters ever recorded.

Measuring around 370 meters in diameter, Apophis will be visible to the naked eye across parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia, offering a once-in-a-lifetime skywatching event. Despite its proximity, scientists confirm there is no impact risk during this flyby, following precise tracking and analysis by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Asteroid Apophis, the ‘God of Destruction’ To Fly by the Earth in 2029, Should You Be Concerned? Here’s What To Know.

However, the encounter is far from routine. Earth’s gravitational pull could alter the asteroid’s path and rotation, potentially shifting its future trajectory. This makes the 2029 pass a critical opportunity for scientists to study asteroid behavior up close and refine planetary defense strategies. Asteroid Approaching Earth! ‘God of Chaos’ Asteroid To Hit Earth on November 13? NASA Alerts Asteroid Apophis’ Close Approach to Home Planet Raising Doomsday Concerns.

While Apophis poses no immediate danger, experts note that if an asteroid of this size were to strike Earth, it could create a crater nearly 1 km wide and cause widespread regional devastation. The 2029 flyby will help researchers better prepare for such scenarios while offering a spectacular reminder of our planet’s place in a dynamic solar system.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 05, 2026 10:51 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).