Rare 'God of Chaos' Asteroid to Fly Close to Earth in 2029

Asteroid Apophis will pass within 20,000 miles of Earth, allowing for unprecedented observation opportunities.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 5:57pm

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A bold, abstract painting in the style of Hilma af Klint, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric planetary circles, and precise physical spirals in earthy tones, conceptually representing the complex orbital mechanics and gravitational forces at play as the Apophis asteroid approaches Earth.As the rare 'God of Chaos' asteroid Apophis makes its historic close approach to Earth, astronomers prepare for an unprecedented opportunity to study the relic of our solar system's early formation.Tucson Today

A rare asteroid named Apophis, after the Egyptian god of chaos, is expected to safely pass close to Earth on April 13, 2029. The asteroid will come within roughly 20,000 miles of Earth's surface, nearly 12 times closer than the moon's average distance, making it one of the closest approaches ever recorded for an object of its size. This rare celestial event will be visible to the naked eye in the Eastern Hemisphere, weather permitting, and will provide astronomers around the world a unique opportunity to study the asteroid's physical properties.

Why it matters

Apophis was initially labeled a potentially hazardous asteroid due to the possibility of it impacting Earth in 2029, 2036 or 2068. However, after closely tracking the asteroid's orbit, astronomers are now confident there is no risk of Apophis impacting Earth for at least 100 years. This close approach will allow for unprecedented observations that could yield new insights into the early formation of our solar system.

The details

Apophis, with a mean diameter of about 1,115 feet and a long axis of at least 1,480 feet, is a relic of the early solar system from about 4.6 billion years ago. Its surface has been weathered by eons of exposure to space weather, including solar wind and cosmic rays. The asteroid's close passage in 2029 will change its orbit around the sun, but the risk of impact with Earth will remain the same. Observatories around the world and in space will closely monitor Apophis during this historic approach.

  • On April 13, 2029, Apophis will pass less than 32,000 km from Earth's surface.
  • Apophis was first discovered in 2004 and was initially labeled a potentially hazardous asteroid.

The players

Asteroid 99942 Apophis

Named after the Egyptian deity of chaos, darkness and fire, Apophis is a rare asteroid that will safely pass close to Earth in 2029.

NASA

The U.S. space agency has closely tracked Apophis and is confident there is no risk of the asteroid impacting Earth for at least 100 years.

European Space Agency (ESA)

The ESA is sending a spacecraft to study Apophis during its close approach to Earth in 2029.

Roy Tucker, David Tholen and Fabrizio Bernardi

Astronomers from the Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona who discovered the asteroid and proposed the name Apophis.

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What’s next

NASA has redirected a spacecraft to rendezvous with Apophis shortly after its close approach in 2029, while the European Space Agency is sending a spacecraft to study it.

The takeaway

This rare flyby of the 'God of Chaos' asteroid presents a unique opportunity for astronomers to study the physical properties of a relic from the early solar system and gain new insights into the formation of our planetary neighborhood.