Massive 'God of Chaos' Asteroid to Make Historic Flyby of Earth

Apophis, a 1,230-foot asteroid, will come closer to our planet than any other rock of its size in human history.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 10:57am

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A bold, abstract painting depicting the Apophis asteroid as a sweeping, concentric geometric form in shades of deep blue and violet, conveying the scale and power of this colossal celestial body.The historic flyby of the massive Apophis asteroid will offer a rare chance to observe and study this colossal celestial body up close.Houston Today

A rare, colossal-sized asteroid named Apophis after the ancient Egyptian God of evil and destruction is on course to fly by Earth in the coming years. At 1,230 feet wide, Apophis will come closer to our planet than any other rocks of its size in human history, making it a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event that will be visible to the naked eye.

Why it matters

Asteroids of this size only pass this close to Earth every few thousand years on average, so an event like this has likely not occurred during recorded human history. The flyby will provide a unique opportunity for scientists to study the asteroid and gain valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system.

The details

Apophis is expected to make its closest approach to Earth on April 13, 2029, passing within just 19,000 miles of the planet's surface. This is closer than the orbits of many communication satellites. The asteroid's immense size and proximity will make it visible to the naked eye for a short period of time, allowing skywatchers around the world to witness this rare celestial event.

  • Apophis is expected to make its closest approach to Earth on April 13, 2029.

The players

Apophis

A 1,230-foot asteroid named after the ancient Egyptian God of evil and destruction.

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What’s next

Scientists will closely monitor Apophis' trajectory and study the asteroid's composition and structure during its historic flyby of Earth in 2029.

The takeaway

The rare, close flyby of the massive Apophis asteroid will provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for skywatchers and scientists alike to observe and study this colossal celestial body, offering valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system.