What is the closest a big asteroid will come to Earth soon?
On 13 April 2029, asteroid Apophis, about 340 metres across, will pass about 32,000 kilometres above Earth, close enough to see without a telescope from some places. It will not hit us.
Big asteroids rarely come very close to Earth, but one special close pass is coming soon.
Apophis. On Friday 13 April 2029, an asteroid called Apophis will zoom past Earth. It is about 340 metres across, roughly as long as three football pitches. It will pass about 32,000 kilometres above Earth's surface. That is closer than some satellites that orbit Earth!
No danger. When Apophis was discovered in 2004, scientists were not sure of its path, and there seemed to be a small chance it could hit Earth. But more careful measurements have shown that it will definitely miss us in 2029, and that it will not hit Earth for at least the next 100 years.
A great sight. Apophis will be bright enough to see without a telescope from dark places in parts of Europe, Africa and western Asia, looking like a star slowly moving across the sky. Scientists think an asteroid this big passes this close only about once every few thousand years.
Spacecraft visit. A NASA spacecraft called OSIRIS-APEX, the same spacecraft that brought back samples from asteroid Bennu, is planned to visit Apophis after its close pass, to see whether Earth's gravity shakes it up.
Mark the date: you might be able to see an asteroid with your own eyes!