Next close approach
APOPHIS
The close approach of 13 April 2029
A 340-metre asteroid will pass below the ring of geostationary satellites, visible to the naked eye to about two billion people. There is no impact risk — ruled out in 2013 and confirmed in 2021.
Distance from Earth on September 20, 2026 · 243,752,039 km · 634.1 lunar distances
Questions
When exactly does Apophis pass?
Closest approach is Friday 13 April 2029 at 21:46 UTC. The figure comes from NASA's CNEOS close-approach database. In London that is 22:46, in Paris 23:46, in Cairo 00:46 on 14 April.
Is there any risk that Apophis hits Earth?
No. Radar observations in 2013, confirmed in March 2021, removed Apophis from NASA's Sentry risk list for at least the next hundred years. The 2029 pass is close, precisely measured and safe.
Where will Apophis be visible?
To the naked eye across Europe, Africa and western Asia, as a star-like point near magnitude 3.1 moving visibly against the constellations over a couple of hours. No telescope needed; a dark sky helps.
How close is 31,640 km, really?
Geostationary satellites orbit at 35,786 km. Apophis passes roughly 4,100 km below them — about a tenth of the distance to the Moon, and closer than much of the hardware we put in orbit ourselves.