Apophis asteroid to pass 32,000 km from Earth on April 13, 2029

September 6, 2026 at 12:30 PM1 min

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The asteroid Apophis will pass about 32,000 kilometres above Earth's surface on April 13, 2029. NASA says there is no danger to Earth, astronauts or satellites. The European Space Agency estimates about two billion people could see it with the naked eye.

Key Facts

Apophis will pass 32,000 kilometres above Earth's surface on April 13, 2029.
NASA has ruled out an Apophis impact for at least the next century.
The European Space Agency estimates two billion people could see Apophis with the naked eye.
Apophis has a mean diameter of about 340 metres and a long axis of at least 450 metres, according to NASA.
The asteroid will pass below the altitude of geostationary satellites, which orbit at 35,786 kilometres.

Flyby Details

The 32,000-kilometre figure is the distance from Apophis to Earth's surface, not the centre-to-centre distance. NASA describes Apophis as having a mean diameter of about 340 metres and a long axis of at least 450 metres. ESA commonly uses roughly 375 metres across for the asteroid's size. Radar suggests an elongated, possibly two-lobed body, so different size estimates are not interchangeable. The Eiffel Tower is about 330 metres tall to its tip, making it a useful scale comparison.

Visibility and Trajectory

Apophis will never enter the atmosphere, so there will be no fireball or glowing tail. To an unaided observer it should look like a moderately bright point of light moving against the background stars. A NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory preview says it may cross more than the apparent width of the full Moon in a minute near its fastest. Peak estimates put it around third magnitude, comparable to an ordinary star visible from a reasonably dark location. The broad naked-eye corridor favours Europe, Africa and western parts of Asia around the closest encounter.