On Friday, 13 April 2029, the infamous asteroid Apophis will make a close approach of Earth. Passing at a distance less than 40 000 km, it will be visible to the naked eye.
At this distance, Earth’s gravity will have a notable impact on the passing space rock, altering its path and amplifying the uncertainty in its orbit. Until recently, there was a small chance that this close approach could nudge Apophis into a dangerous new orbit, in which the 350 m asteroid could strike Earth in a future journey round the Sun.
Fortunately, recent radar observations reduced the uncertainty in Apophis’ trajectory to such an extent that even with the orbit-altering effects of the upcoming 2029 flyby, any chance of impact in 2068 or long after are ruled out.