Apophis

Apophis, officially designated 99942 Apophis, is a near-Earth asteroid named after the Egyptian deity Apophis (Apep). It was discovered on June 19, 2004 by the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program at Socorro, New Mexico. The asteroid is estimated to be roughly 340 meters in diameter, with a rocky composition; its exact size and shape remain uncertain.

Apophis is classified as a near-Earth object and a potentially hazardous asteroid due to its size and orbital path that brings it close to Earth’s orbit. Its orbit crosses Earth's orbit, and it completes an orbit around the Sun in roughly one year. Its proximity to Earth allows detailed observations during close approaches.

The most notable future event is a very close approach on April 13, 2029, when Apophis will pass about 31,000 kilometers (approximately 19,000 miles) above the Earth's surface. This distance is well inside the geostationary satellite belt and could make Apophis visible to the naked eye from some locations under favorable conditions. The 2029 flyby will also alter the asteroid’s orbit, affecting future close approaches.

Following improved observations and risk assessments, particularly by NASA’s Sentry system, there is no credible impact probability for Apophis for the next century or more. Earlier concerns about potential impacts in 2036 or 2068 have been ruled out.