Asteroid Apophis to pass safely close to Earth in 2029 offering unique study opportunity

Asteroid Apophis, known as the "God of Chaos," will pass close to Earth on April 13, 2029, at a distance of about 19,794 miles. This event allows scientists to study the asteroid's composition and behavior without the risk of impact. Initially thought to pose a threat after its discovery in 2004, Apophis has been confirmed to be safe for at least the next century. Radar observations in 2021 clarified that it would not collide with Earth in 2029 or 2036. During the flyby, NASA's OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft will analyze Apophis's surface and structure. Scientists aim to learn about its unusual shape and potential "asteroid quakes" caused by gravitational interactions.