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Apophis to Zoom Past Earth, Visible Worldwide 2029

7/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Scientists in Italy announced that asteroid 99942 Apophis will pass Earth on April 13, 2029 at 19,000 miles (30,600 km).
The 340-meter (1,100-foot) asteroid could be seen by up to 90 % of the 7.6 billion population, with a peak of 5.7 billion viewers across eastern Africa, Europe and Asia.
NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX and ESA’s RAMSES, launching spring 2028, will study Apophis as the UN declares 2029 the International Year of Asteroid Awareness and zero impact risk.

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Story summary

Scientists in Italy announced that asteroid 99942 Apophis will pass Earth on April 13, 2029 at 19,000 miles (30,600 km).
The 340-meter (1,100-foot) asteroid could be seen by up to 90 % of the 7.6 billion population, with a peak of 5.7 billion viewers across eastern Africa, Europe and Asia.
NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX and ESA’s RAMSES, launching spring 2028, will study Apophis as the UN declares 2029 the International Year of Asteroid Awareness and zero impact risk.